Topic #2: Diction

 While describing Gatsby’s lavish parties, Fitzgerald displays the extravagance and shenanigans of the parties and the attendees. Fitzgerald describes the transportation methods by stating that the "Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city” (39). "Bearing” something is often associated with having to carry something for an extended period in time. When it is stated that the car was “bearing” people, Fitzgerald implies a feeling of painstaking actions, creating a tone of carelessness or heartlessness. When showing the preparation for Gatsby's lavish parties, Fitzgerald explains that “Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived from a fruiterer in New York–every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his backdoor in a pyramid of pulpless halves” (39). The work done on the Pyramids of Egypt were extreme and took many years. The pyramids consumed the lives of many and it is now only seen as an amazing view for traveling tourists. To compare the preparation for the party to that of the back-breaking work conducted on such pyramids adds to the sense of defeat felt by working for hours to accomplish something that you will never be able to enjoy to the fullest. How does someone in modern ages describe people as “deplorably sober” (52)? Fitzgerald's statement seems awkward as it is not horrible to be sober; however, in order to fit in with the masses, the people would need to extremely intoxicated to be part of the "in" group. His fake mockery of the sobriety of the few implicitly shows his abhorrence for those that have lost their inhibitions and have a lost moral faith in those that choose to drown their sorrows or toast to their dreams. F. Scott Fitzgerald skillfully weaves a sense of moral responsibility by showing the loss of morals throughout his famous novel.