Literary Devices in The Diamond as Big as the Ritz
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" may be a fun fantasy story, but it's also a major critique of American history and American values. One of the early tip-offs is Percy's explanation that his family...
Setting
Most of "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" takes place on the five-square-mile land of the Washington estate, somewhere in the middle of Montana. By all accounts, the Washington château appears...
Narrator Point of View
For the most part, we experience the bizarre events of this story along with its protagonist, John Unger. We get to hear his thoughts, his perspective, and we generally aren't privy to things outsi...
Genre
"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is good old social satire. By exaggerating certain aspects of American culture – the obsession with wealth in particular – Fitzgerald holds his society...
Tone
"The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is definitely satirical (see "Genre"), so we expect a certain sarcastic bent to the tone. And that's exactly what we get. Fitzgerald parodies the Washingtons' indif...
Writing Style
Read through "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" and find every superlative adjective you can, along with all the exaggerated descriptions and over-the-top characterizations. This is a story that is s...
What's Up With the Title?
The obvious answer is that this story is about a diamond that is, literally, as big as the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. But lest we give Fitzgerald and his title short shrift, we should try to dig a little...
What's Up With the Ending?
The last page of "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is where the theme of youth comes into play. As three survivors – John, Kismine, and Jasmine – sit under the stars and plan their penni...
Plot Analysis
John is off to prep school.This stage is comprised of the background info on John, his family, and the town of Hades, as well as the time John spends at St. Midas' school. You've also got the anti...
Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis
John goes with Percy to his home in Montana.The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is a fantastic example of the "Voyage and Return" Booker plot – it fits the mold to a T. In fact, Booker even cites t...
Three Act Plot Analysis
John leaves his home for St. Midas' prep. He meets Percy and then travels with him to his home in Montana.John spends the summer with the Washingtons. He falls in love with Kismine and then discov...
Trivia
Jimmy Buffet wrote a song called "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz." Take one look at these lyrics and realize that he totally would have gotten an "A" in AP English. He nails this one. We can see th...
Steaminess Rating
"The Diamond as Big As the Ritz" does feature a love story, but it's the story of first love – i.e., googly eyes across the rosebushes in the garden of youth and innocence. It's a big deal wh...
Allusions
Hades (the name of John's hometown): Hades was the Greek God of the Underworld; the Underworld itself can also be referred to as "Hades."Midas (the name of John's prep school): King Midas was a myt...