Literary Impressionism In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby marks the maturity of Fitzgerald's artistic style.For years,the novella has been a constant source of academic research.However,impressionistic techniques in it haven't been studied thoroughly.This thesis seeks to explore the impressionistic features of the novella and to analyze how impressionism facilitates the expression of the theme.It is hoped that this thesis can provide a fresh perspective to explore the aesthetic value and moral implication of the work.Literary impressionism refers to a writing style which faithfully renders the transient,vague and subjective impressions according to what the narrator sees,hears and feels in reality.It focuses on capturing the momentary feelings and impressions and the overall effects rendered through the interaction of light and colors.Also,it usually employs nonlinear narrative methods such as fragmentation and juxtaposition,instead of narrating a story in a rearranged and linear way.The main body of this thesis consists of three parts.Chapter One focuses on the impressionistic narrative,analyzing the employment of fragmentation and juxtaposition in the work.It is pointed out that these artistic techniques help enrich and deepen the theme within a limited length;and at the same time help evoke readers' moral and emotional responses by engaging them in the verbal collage.Chapter Two centers on the impressionistic imagery,analyzing how the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated images and the light images,the typical images in the impressionistic works,help present the thematic meaning.Chapter Three concentrates on the impressionistic use of colors,analyzing how the author skillfully employs various colors to enhance the atmosphere,to deepen the symbolic theme,and to make the work more visually charming.