Fitzgerald is a very diverse and interesting author to analyze. The techniques he uses for each character or theme that he wants to present is different from page to page, thus making him a multifaceted. When speaking of the title character of the book, Jay Gatsby, there are a few specific techniques used in the layout of his features. Gatsby doesn't appear in the book in flesh and blood until the third chapter of the book however by that time Nick Carraway has received enough second hand information about him.However there is of course a reason as to why Fitzgerald waited with the introduction of this man; the more we waited for the Great Gatsby the larger his reputation grew in order for us to build a predetermined view about him.
The main techniques Fitzgerald used to introduce our main character Gatsby was reputations and postponed introduction thus creating a lot of mystery around this man. At first when Nick enters one of Gatsby's parties he doesn't see the host indulging himself in the luxuries of the crowd, food and music though instead he is nowhere to be seen.This is a very surprising enigma for Nick since generally you would presume that whoever has this much wealth would thrive in showing it off to his guests. On top of this, you have a lot of rumors circulating every one of his parties.
Catherine McKee once said that Gatsby is "the son of Kaiser Wilhelm", the current ruler of Germany. Of course every speculation made was false however as Nick heard them all, his anticipations for their meeting grew. This is a clever technique since not only does it enhance Gatsby's character importance in the novel though it shows how little the supporting characters of the book knows him.We hear all sorts of rumors about how Gatsby acquired his wealth however not until chapter VII do we have definite proof of how his money came about. On page 140, two thirds into the book, Tom confronts Jay about who he really is.
It is during that event where Tom throws all the facts about his bootlegging in Jay's face 'I found out what your "drug-stores" were-' He turned to us and spoke rapidly. 'He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.That's one of his little stunts....
. 'What about it? said Gatsby politely. I guess your friend Walter Chase wasn't too proud to come in on it. ' This is the first time in the book where a character confronts Jay about his past and current business. Not surprisingly, he doesn't deny any of his work though instead throws back a snappy comment. The fact that we have a predetermined view on this character makes it even more interesting for us to read on and to find out that this wealthy upper-class man has a sensitive, love-sick side to himself.
Fitzgerald uses all of these techniques to accentuate the importance of greatness and fake glorification in Gatsby's life.Gatsby knows that he isn't all of what he has created himself to be: the man that everyone loves to create rumors about. However this all apart of the essence of being the "Great Gatsby", since by creating a lot of mystery and suspense around who he really is and where he has come from, he can draw more attention to himself; thus luring in Daisy. Fitzgerald's techniques are classical and are designed to draw more attention to this man of illusions and secrecy in order for us to understand the role of this man in the novel.
