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Fiction Writing Techniques (Coursework)
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Fiction writing techniques to aid with Pearson's English Language and Literature coursework module.
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Fiction Writing Techniques - The Great GatsbySummer Work - English
In ‘The Great Gatsby’ Fitzgerald uses the character of Nick to portray his own ideologies
about society at the time, as well as to illustrate inner conflicts within his life. We hear from
Nick a complacent voice, “(the business) could support one more single man” - this shines
through in his work selling bonds - but also an inquisitive perseverance, “there was a
change… that was simply confounding” that rears when uncovering Gatsby’s secret past.
These opposed voices associate with Fitzgerald; a man from nothing, suddenly emblazoned
with a glamorous lifestyle, unsure of his opinion on the matter. Fitzgerald was known for a
conflict in his imagined utopias: the conduct of being disgusted by greed yet living it out was
the catalyst to a descending spiral. Using this somewhat naive narrative viewpoint to create
a vivid impression of voice throughout the novel, Fitzgerald leads the reader through the
falsities and hardships of life in the 20s, via Nick’s experience, intertwined with his own.
The fictional cities of West Egg and East Egg represent an elitist disparity between ‘newly
rich’ and ‘old rich’ - the former being shunned by the latter for being, “less fashionable.”
Furthermore, the outskirts, appropriately named the Valley of Ashes, discloses an extensive
inequality between itself and both Eggs combined. Contrasting settings hosting contrasting
characters represent social and monetary barriers in 20s America: either foolishly rich or
desperately poor, society was still trying to find its feet as a consequence to The Great War.
In ‘The Great Gatsby’ each character profile is directly linked to where they are based;
George and Myrtle Wilson are the only figures who live in the Valley of Ashes and are the
only figures who are neglected by every other character around them. This reveals to the
reader not only a conflict between cities, but between the circle of characters too.
Again, drawing on his personal life experiences, many characters in ‘The Great Gatsby’
resemble those Fitzgerald knew, but with exaggerated identities. Rich socialite Jay Gatsby
revels in attention, hosting regular Saturday parties, yearning for his life-long unrequited
love, Daisy Buchanan. In comparison, womanizer Tom Buchanan lusts after multiple
women, feeding not off of their attention, but off draining their energy as they fluster around
him. The two alphas have opposite personalities, one eager to impress even in the most
peculiar ways, “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such beautiful shirts before,”
exclaims Daisy after being taken on a tour of Gatbsy’s wardrobe. Although materialistic and
slightly concerning, Gatsby has Daisy in mind throughout every action performed, desperate
for her spotlight. Tom, on the other hand, is eager to dominate, asserting his ‘power’ over his
‘friends,’ a quality that will eventually lead to his demise. Seeing no problem with adultery
himself, surely he cannot blame Daisy for falling back in love with Gatsby, yet generates an
altercation about the affair in public, fully blaming both Daisy and Gatsby for their, “foolish
ideas.” However unbeknownst to him, continuing derogatory language from Tom induces
this unanticipated romance, eventually, much like everything else, collapsing into a tragic
downfall.
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