The repetition of the consonant “d” sound in the words “devil,” “did,” and “decide” is an example of alliteration. The alliteration of the hard “d” sound emphasizes the emotional intensity of Mr. Jones’s shock. Notably, Mr. Jones is most upset because Dexter will not be available to provide him with a personal service.
"the fleeting brilliant impressions of the summer at Sherry Island were ready grist to his mill..."See in text(Part I)
Through a direct and an indirect or implied metaphor, Fitzgerald describes Dexter’s memories or “brilliant impressions” of summer at Sherry Island and his active imagination. His memories were “grist,” a direct metaphor saying they were grain that’s ground into flour; his “mill” is an indirect or implied metaphor describing his imagination in processing the memories.
"the wind blew cold as misery..."See in text(Part I)
Fitzgerald uses a simile to describe the coldness of the winter wind. The physical experience of feeling a cold winter wind is compared with the word “as” to the psychological experience of feeling misery. The simile effectively captures Dexter’s intense dissatisfaction with winter, while further developing the imagery of the scene.
"Dexter's skis moved over the snow..."See in text(Part I)
The phrase “Dexter's skis moved over the snow” features alliteration, the repetition of a consonant sound in words in close proximity in the text. The “s” sound in “Dexter's skis” alliterates with the “s” sound in “snow,” creating sibilance, a hissing sound. The sibilance in the passage evokes the sound of Dexter’s skis moving over the snow.
"the long Minnesota winter shut down like the white lid of a box..."See in text(Part I)
In describing the Minnesota winter, Fitzgerald employs a simile, a literary device that describes one thing by comparing it to another with the use of “like” or “as.” The coming of winter is described by comparing it to closing the lid of a box, suggesting being imprisoned by the winter. Within the simile is an indirect or implied metaphor, a literary device that indirectly describes one thing by implying it is something else. The “white lid” of the box indirectly describes the snow of the long winter.
"the best one was "The Hub," patronized by the wealthy people from Sherry Island..."See in text(Part I)
The difference between social classes is introduced early in the story and functions as a motif—a recurring idea, phrase, or image—throughout the narrative. A motif usually contributes in some way to a theme or themes in a short story or novel. Dexter’s family is neither poor nor wealthy, but his father’s store being “second best” implies inferiority to the upper class who live on Sherry Island.
"His heart turned over like the fly-wheel of the boat..."See in text(Part II)
The flywheel is a part of an engine that turns in starting the engine. Dexter’s emotional response to Judy’s invitation is described with a simile comparing it to the boat’s flywheel turning over, suggesting that the invitation had a dynamic effect on him.
"he lay perfectly quiet and listened...."See in text(Part II)
The visual and auditory imagery in this scene is an example of Fitzgerald’s “evocative style” of writing: evoking memories and emotions in readers through descriptive sensory writing that creates a particular mood.
"There was a fish jumping and a star shining and the lights around the lake were gleaming...."See in text(Part II)
Fitzgerald’s use of the coordinating conjunction “and” in this sentence is an example of polysyndeton, a literary technique in which coordinating conjunctions are repeated in close succession in joining words or phrases listed in a sentence. Through polysyndeton, each word or phrase in the list is emphasized and given equal weight or value.
"the moon held a finger to her lips..."See in text(Part II)
The moon is personified in the passage by ascribing to it human traits. Personification, a type of figurative language, is often employed in creating mood, such as the romantic mood in this scene.
"the waters in the little wind, silver molasses under the harvest-moon..."See in text(Part II)
The ripples on the water are described with a direct metaphor saying they are “molasses,” a thick, dark brown syrup, that appears silver in the moonlight.
"But the part of his story that concerns us goes back to the days when he was making his first big success...."See in text(Part II)
The chronological order of the story is interrupted here with a flashback that takes readers to an earlier time in Dexter’s life and narrates the events that had occurred.
"he stopped his coupe in front of the great white bulk of the Mortimer Joneses house, somnolent, gorgeous, drenched with the splendor of the damp moonlight...."See in text(Part IV)
Several literary devices are present in the passage. The Joneses’ house, a mansion, is white, a color motif associated with wealth that is introduced at the beginning of the story. The mansion is personified as being “somnolent,” which means sleepy or drowsy; the personification suggests silence in the scene. Also, the house is “drenched” with “damp moonlight,” which is an example of synesthesia, a literary device that describes something by associating one physical sense with another; the house is described by associating the sight of moonlight with the tactile feeling of dampness. Finally, “gorgeous” and “splendor” have connotations of great beauty and magnificence, qualities Dexter has always associated with great wealth.
The noun “denouement,” or “dénouement,” is a literary term referring to the outcome of a dramatic sequence of events in a story. Fitzgerald’s word choice indicates that the courtship between Dexter and Judy Jones is like a complicated plot, “with varying shades of intensity,” that reached a climactic peak and then concluded.
"there was no beauty but the gray beauty of steel that withstands all time..."See in text(Part VI)
“Steel that withstands all time” may be interpreted as a metaphor for reality, all that is left to Dexter after the destruction of his memories and dreams of Judy.
"When he's particularly outrageous she forgives him. In fact, I'm inclined to think she loves him...."See in text(Part VI)
Judy’s relationship with the man she eventually marries is an example of situational irony, irony that is created by the difference between what one would expect to happen and what actually happens. Ironically, Judy’s husband treats her the way she once treated Dexter.
