Which two words does Fitzgerald spell phonetically to reflect Wolfshiem's accent?

Which two words does Fitzgerald spell phonetically to reflect Wolfshiem's accent?

• A. New York and business
• B. Oxford and connections
• C. London and links
• D. Paris and networks

Answer: (B)

The technique at work is Fitzgerald using phonetic spellings to show how Wolfshiem speaks. When a character is外国-born or has a strong non-American accent, Fitzgerald often writes parts of the dialogue to hint at that speech pattern, rather than relying on a normal, flawless rendering of English. In this passage, two words are given in a way that mirrors Wolfshiem’s accent, signaling his European background and the social circle he moves in. Those two words are Oxford and connections. By spelling them phonetically, Fitzgerald makes the sounds and rhythm of Wolfshiem’s speech audible to the reader, emphasizing how his immigrant voice shapes his interactions and worldview. The choice of these particular words also reinforces themes in the novel—education, European ties, and networks of influence—showing how Wolfshiem navigates power and status through language as well as through his “connections.” The other options don’t fit because they don’t reflect the same moment of phonetic rendering tied to Wolfshiem’s speech or the same sense of his background and social world.

The technique at work is Fitzgerald using phonetic spellings to show how Wolfshiem speaks. When a character is外国-born or has a strong non-American accent, Fitzgerald often writes parts of the dialogue to hint at that speech pattern, rather than relying on a normal, flawless rendering of English. In this passage, two words are given in a way that mirrors Wolfshiem’s accent, signaling his European background and the social circle he moves in.

Those two words are Oxford and connections. By spelling them phonetically, Fitzgerald makes the sounds and rhythm of Wolfshiem’s speech audible to the reader, emphasizing how his immigrant voice shapes his interactions and worldview. The choice of these particular words also reinforces themes in the novel—education, European ties, and networks of influence—showing how Wolfshiem navigates power and status through language as well as through his “connections.”

The other options don’t fit because they don’t reflect the same moment of phonetic rendering tied to Wolfshiem’s speech or the same sense of his background and social world.