Exercise:
Read the excerpt from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and answer the following questions.
Excerpt:
“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”
Questions:
- What literary device is used in the phrase “men and girls came and went like moths”?
- How does the description of the garden contribute to the tone of the story?
- What might the “whisperings” and “champagne” symbolize?
Answer Key:
- Simile: The phrase compares people to moths, suggesting they are drawn to something fleeting or insubstantial.
- The garden is described as extravagant but shallow, setting a tone of luxury and futility.
The “whisperings” could symbolize gossip or superficial conversations, and the “champagne” symbolizes luxury or excess.