This document answers the question "How does F. Scott Fitzgerald create an atmosphere of boredom and excitement in ‘The Great Gatsby’? (Chapter 1)"
Pearson Edexcel AS & A Level English Language & Literature
Chapter 1 of ‘The Great Gatsby’
Society and the Individual
Varieties in Language...
How does F. Scott Fitzgerald create an atmosphere of boredom and
excitement in ‘The Great Gatsby’? (Chapter 1)
Pearson Edexcel A Level English Language and Literature
Chapter 1 of ‘The Great Gatsby’
Society and the Individual
Syllabus 9ELO
Fitzgerald manages to create an atmosphere of boredom and also excitement in this extract.
He does this through the use of literary and linguistic techniques. He uses Daisy to create
happy and interesting atmospheres as she always appears to be smiling and constantly
laughing. Other characters such as Tom represent boredom and depressing lives.
Furthermore, Daisy is also bored of living in East Egg but she hasn’t yet realised it as she
metaphorically lives in a bubble. This is all a result to the mass consumerism and decadent
and luxurious lifestyles of the roaring 20s. People ended up being bored due to only seeking
materialistic things therefore creating unrealistic expectations of true happiness.
Daisy appears to be bored in the quote, “made an attempt to rise-she leaned slightly forward
with a conscientious expression-then she laughed, an absurd, charming little laugh” The noun,
“attempt” suggests that she wasn’t eager and motivated to get up to greet Nick. The adverb,
“slightly” exaggerates the lack of enthusiasm that she had and up till now creates a boring
atmosphere in the extract. Nevertheless, the adjectives, “absurd” and “charming” create
some excitement throughout the room. The adjective, “absurd” also implies that her laugh
was inappropriate and false, suggesting that she is either nervous or desperate to create
exciting moments to escape the boredom. Throughout the novel Daisy is admired by many
men due to her southern bell ways and her beautiful tone of voice. For example, Jay Gatsby
reinvents himself to be part of the old rich just to be able to have the possibility to win Daisy.
Fitzgerald uses Daisy to create a contrast of feelings. For example, “I’m p-paralysed with
happiness. She laughed again as if she said something very witty.” The hyperbole implies that
Daisy is literally paralysed as she isn’t aware of her surroundings and her environment.
Furthermore, it suggests that she is close minded and living inside a bubble where only
positive and exciting things occur. She stutters on purpose to try and make those around her
also feel amused and excited to be there. The adverb, “again” is used to show just how much
of a positive and exciting person Daisy is. Nevertheless, the adverb and adjective, “very witty”
proves how she is so desperately trying to entertain herself to escape or disguise the boring
atmosphere. We discover that Daisy ended up meeting many men while Gatsby was at war
as she got bored. Furthermore, she ended up with Tom who gave her every materialistic thing
that she desired yet just like the roaring 20s she created a unrealistic expectation of true
happiness and became bored very quickly (desired Gatsby as he could give her happiness and
also wealth).
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