Author's Style

Throughout the Great Gatsby Fitzgerald utilizes many figurative language techniques such as imagery, symbolism and metaphors, these techniques are used to illustrate the setting of the novel. One example of imagery is when Nick describes the Valley of Ashes, he states; "[t]his is the valley of ashes--a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air" (Fitzgerald 23). Nick's in depth illustration of the Valley of Ashes helps the reader picture the setting in their own mind and furthers one's understanding of the novel.
Another technique Fitzgerald employs in this novel is flowery and ornate diction, this style of writing is characterized by long, descriptive sentences. Fitzgeralds lavish writing style further depicts the characters and settings of his novel. An example of when flowery diction was utilized is when Nick portrays Daisy's character, he explains;

I looked back at my cousin, who began to ask me questions in her low, thrilling voice. It was the kind of voice that the ear follows up and down, as if each speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again. Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget a singing compulsion, a whispered 'Listen,' a promise that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour (Fitzgerald 9.)

Nick's in depth depiction of Daisy further expresses the upbeat tone that radiates from Daisy's voice when she speaks. Fitzgerald's use of imagery, symbolism and flowery diction all contribute to his descriptive style of writing.