"That was it. I'd never understood before. if was full of money--that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it...High in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl...." (120).
This passage is a unique composition in that it is a mimicry of the human thought process. It contains various punctuation that create different pauses within the phrases. For example, the ellipses provide a longer pause than a period would, resembling a switching of thoughts from one to another. The use of the dash in the passage starts a parenthetical expression. However, Fitzgerald implements a unique twist and does not finish the thought, which is a parallel to how the human mind actually thinks. In addition, he also only includes two complete sentences, both of which are telographic. Thus, this is also mimicking the process of thought, as ideas are usually sudden and quick. The unique structure of the sentences and phrases is thus an arrangement by the author to convey to the reader the thoughts of Nick at the time in a more realistic, human way.
“'Oh, my Ga-od! Oh, my Ga-od! Oh, Ga-od! Oh, my Ga-od!'
Presently Tom lifted his head with a jerk and, after staring around the garage with glazed eyes, addressed a mumbled incoherent remark to the policeman.
'M-a-v—' the policeman was saying, '—o—'
'No, r—' corrected the man, 'M-a-v-r-o—'
'Listen to me! ' muttered Tom fiercely.
'r' said the policeman, 'o—'
'g—'
'g—' He looked up as Tom’s broad hand fell sharply on his shoulder. 'What you want,
fella?'
'What happened? — that’s what I want to know.'
'Auto hit her. Ins’antly killed'” (139).
This dialogue between Tom and a policeman is unique due to the expression of emotion that is conveyed by Fitzgerald. By using excessive dashes in between words and letters, the author provides the pronunciation that he intends for the readers to imagine. In addition, the use of dashes at the end of one dialogue is used to show the abruptness in both men's speech, showing the rush and fast-paced speed of the conversation, as it would normally be after an accident. Thus, the periodic implementation of the dashes throughout the phrases shows the high levels of emotion in both men after the accident.
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