The Effect of Syntax on Fitzgerald's Purpose

           Fitzgerald’s often paradoxical way of writing illuminates his purpose to demonstrate that wealth often overpowers what people know is right. The reader can see that Daisy deliberately chooses to be with Tom when Nick observes of both: “They weren’t happy, and neither of them had touched the chicken or the ale—yet they weren’t unhappy either” (145). This being the night of the car accident in which Daisy kills Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, the author juxtaposes the two emotions of happiness and unhappiness to emphasize that Tom, who is obviously grieving over his dead mistress, is also glad that Daisy has chosen him, and that Daisy, being the one who ran over Myrtle, is somewhat regretful but also relieved because she knows that the accident will be blamed on Gatsby, and that she is still secure with Tom. Fitzgerald displays his contempt for money because it leads to careless actions that result in something terrible, like Myrtles death, yet easily provides a way out with no justice. Soon after Daisy chooses Tom, Gatsby is recounting to Nick of how one of the letters he received from Daisy at Oxford informed him of her betrothal to someone else. Nick writes about her decision, “Doubtless there was a certain struggle and a certain relief” (151). Fitzgerald juxtaposes the “struggle” and the “relief” Daisy feels, displaying that her acceptance of Tom’s request was difficult because there was still a part of her in love with Gatsby, yet there was still a part of her waiting for Gatsby that was shattered by the safety the proposal promised. By revealing Daisy’s conflicting emotions, the author emphasizes that the security of money overshadowed the love Daisy once had for Gatsby, painting a sad picture that causes the reader to confirm that the author may disagree with her love of money obliterating her love for Gatsby. Through juxtaposing the contradictory emotions felt in both instances, Fitzgerald reveals that the power of money greatly diminishes the power of love.