In his book The Crack-Up, F. Scott Fitzgerald (author of The Great Gatsby) wrote the following description of a junk yard.
Seen in a Junk Yard. Dogs, chickens with few claws, brass fittings, T’s elbow, rust everywhere, bales of metal 1800 lbs., plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, sinks, water pumps, wheels, Fordson tractor, acetylene lamps for tractors, sewing machine, bell on dinghy, box of bolts (No. 1), van, stove, auto stuff (No. 2), army trucks, cast iron body, hot dog stand, dinky engines, sprockets like watch parts, hinge all taken apart on building side, motorcycle radiators, George on the high army truck. (107)
How do you think Fitzgerald’s narrator feels about the junkyard? How do you know?
I don't want you to write it, but I just need you to simply tell me how you know why he feels what he feels about the junkyard. If you could kindly explain, that would be great. I have to submit this assignment in a little while. Please hurry.
I haven't read any of this, but there may be ideas in here for you:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crack-Up
Thank you, but just solely of this paragraph, who would be the narrator?
I don't know. Is it Fitzgerald? Is he seeing the junkyard as his life, filled with old, thrown-away stuff? Is this in part of the essay/story when he is realizing where he is? Or is he referring to all this after he has recovered? Or during his recovery? From the Amazon summary: "The Crack-Up tells the story of Fitzgerald's sudden descent at the age of thirty-nine from glamorous success to empty despair, and his determined recovery."
Only you will know — that is, if you've read it.
To determine how Fitzgerald's narrator feels about the junkyard based on the given description, we can analyze the descriptive language and details provided in the passage.
The narrator's tone and perspective towards the junkyard can give us insights into his feelings. Here are some clues to consider:
1. Choice of words: The narrator uses a variety of vivid and descriptive words like "rust everywhere," "dinky engines," "sprockets like watch parts," which indicate a level of attention and interest. These details suggest that the narrator might have a fascination or curiosity towards the objects found in the junkyard.
2. Diversity of items: The passage lists a wide range of items found in the junkyard, including dogs, chickens, brass fittings, plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, automobile parts, and more. The inclusion of such diverse objects may suggest a sense of intrigue or wonder in the narrator's observations.
3. Lack of judgment: The passage does not express any negative or critical opinions about the junkyard. This absence of judgment indicates a neutral or possibly positive stance towards the junkyard.
Based on these observations, it can be inferred that the narrator of The Crack-Up potentially feels a mix of curiosity, fascination, and neutrality towards the junkyard. The absence of overtly negative or positive language suggests an objective observation rather than an emotional response.