English 11 S2 - M4 L2

Syntax in The Great Gatsby

Purpose: In this assignment, you will look at the syntax in The Great Gatsby.

Directions: Find quotes from The Great Gatsby that show different syntax. Write out the
quote, then explain the sentence length, sentence type, and sentence pattern. Lastly, explain
the effect this syntax has on the reader.

Quote #1 “The other girl, Daisy, made an attempt to rise—she leaned slightly
forward with a conscientious expression—then she laughed, an
absurd, charming little laugh, and I laughed too and came forward
into the room."

Sentence Length The sentence length is compound complex.

Sentence Type The sentence type is declarative.

Sentence Patterns Repetition of the word laughter is the sentence pattern, and the dash
is used as a sentence interrupter to indicate a change.

Effect on the Reader This makes the reader have a positive connection to Daisy, she is
portrayed as a happy, comedic character.

Quote #2 “Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived from a
fruiterer in New York-every Monday these same oranges and lemons
left his back door in a pyramid of pulpless halves.”

Sentence Length The sentence length is compound.

Sentence Type The sentence type is declarative.

Sentence Patterns Parallelism is used in this sentence to show how much fruit was
delivered for the party and how all of it was eaten because there were
so many people.

Effect on the Reader The parallel structure of this sentence emphasizes that many people
went to these weekend parties that Gatsby threw and that they were
successful parties.

Quote #3 “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.”
Sentence Length The sentence length is compound.

Sentence Type The sentence type is declarative.

Sentence Patterns Repetition of the word bright is used as a sentence pattern.

Effect on the Reader The repetition of the word bright while introducing us to Daisy made
the audience think of Daisy as a “bright” and happy person.