symbolism in great gatsby essay

Finally, as Gatsby's dream is dashed, the green light stops being something that is his alone, and instead takes on a universal quality . Now it stands for the unreachable dream that lives inside all people. For Nick, life is a constant struggle between our past mistakes, experiences, and sense of reality, which pull us back and weigh us down, and the green light of unrealistic hope that drives us to think we will do better and achieve more the next day.

The green light ends up standing for this dream of an "orgastic future" —that's right, that means a future lived at the height of orgasm—which is constantly getting farther and farther away, and that we keep trying to grab for, despite the impossibility of reaching it.

Characters, Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Connected to the Green Light

Jay Gatsby . Gatsby is most closely associated with the green light. He is the one who obsessively stares at this light at the end of Daisy's dock, dreaming of reuniting with her. He is the one who reaches his hands towards it, showing us that it is a symbolic representation of his dreams that are always just out of reach. And he is the one whose belief in the green light and its promise of a future of perfect happiness so profoundly affects Nick that Nick ends up admiring Gatsby.

Daisy Buchanan . The green light is located at the end of Daisy's dock, and is Gatsby's only physical sign of her before he meets her at Nick's house. For a long time, the green light, Gatsby's ambitious hopes, and Daisy are all symbolically one and the same. Only when Daisy has an affair with Gatsby, showing that she is a flesh and blood person with her own desires, fears, and flaws, does she separate from this idealized symbol of hope.

Nick Carraway . Nick is the one who realizes the significance of the green light for Gatsby when he sees Gatsby stretching his arms out towards it. He is also the one who connects the green light with everyone's hopes and dreams at the very end of the book.

Society and Class. For Gatsby, just as Daisy is visible through the green light, but in reality out of reach, so is the old money contingent of wealthy Long Island society. No matter how high Gatsby rises and how rich he gets, he still can't break through that final barrier—and he can never quite grasp the green light.

The American Dream . The green light comes to represent not just Gatsby's dream, but the aspirational American Dream that the novel shows in both its positive and negative aspects. Like this national myth, the green light is forever just out of reach, but also forever motivating feats of improbable achievement.

Symbol : Colors. That the light is green is very significant in a novel that is methodically color-coded. Somewhat in opposition to its culturally positive associations, in The Great Gatsby, green tends to be a sign of either hopeful rebirth, or sickness, greed, and death.

Essay Ideas and Tips for Writing About the Green Light

Now that we've explored the layers of meanings behind the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, you're in a good place to think about how to write about this symbol.

How to Write an Essay About the Green Light

Here are some tips on how to write an essay about the role of a symbol in a novel:

• Build from the text out. In this article, I first looked at the green light in context and discussed its meaning in the exact places where it appears, and only afterward wrote about its general significance in the novel. The same basic rule of thumb is good to keep in mind for your own essay. Work from small ideas to big ones, and your argument will be well supported.
• Make an argument. It's not enough to just describe the symbol and explain its possible meanings. Instead, you have to make sure that you're making some kind of point about why/how the symbol works. How do you know if you're making an argument and not just saying the obvious? If you can imagine someone arguing the opposite of what you're saying, then you've got an argument on your hands.
• Don't overthink it. Sure, the green light can be said to represent lots of things: Gatsby's dreams, Daisy, or the quest to grab the elusive brass ring. But that doesn't mean that it also stands for world peace, environmental degradation, or Nick's pining for his war days. In other words, watch out for stretching your symbol analysis too far from what the text is telling you.

Essay Topic Ideas on the Green Light

Here are some possible essay arguments. You can build from them as-is, argue their opposite, or use them as jumping-off points for your own interpretation.

The green light is a kind of affiliation test for Gatsby. Those who imbue it with meaning like he does (like Nick) end up sympathizing with Gatsby; those who only see it as an object (like Daisy and Tom) are doomed to dismiss Gatsby also.

Gatsby's downfall starts at the moment when he stops seeing the green light as a symbol for his dreams and goals.

Ultimately, the green light means far more to Nick than to Gatsby.

Green Light in The Great Gatsby: The Bottom Line

• The green light is a permanently lit lamp that marks the end of Daisy and Tom's boat dock.
• The image of the green light occurs:
• At the end of Chapter 1, when Gatsby is reaching towards it and it is very mysterious.
• In Chapter 5, when Gatsby and Daisy have reconnected, taking the symbolic meaning away from the green light
• At the end of Chapter 9, when it transitions from being a symbol just for Gatsby and instead becomes a universal symbol of hope for the future.
• The significance and symbolic meaning of the green lights shifts:
• In the beginning of the novel, the light stands for Gatsby's dreams, hopes, and desires to reunite with Daisy.
• During the course of the novel, Gatsby's dream is revealed to be delusional and unrealizable, so the symbolic meaning behind the green light collapses.
• Finally, as Gatsby's dream is dashed, the green light stops being something that is his alone, and instead stands for the unreachable dream of an "orgastic future" that is constantly getting farther and farther away and that we keep trying to grab for.
• The green light is associated with:
• Jay Gatsby, who obsessively stares at this light at the end of Daisy's dock, dreaming of reuniting with her.
• Daisy Buchanan, since the green light, Gatsby's ambitious hopes, and Daisy are all symbolically one and the same.
• Nick Carraway, who is the one who realizes the significance of the green light for Gatsby and who connects the green light with everyone's hopes and dreams.
• Society and class, the upper echelon of which is just as out of reach for Gatsby as the green light.
• The American Dream, which is the aspirational hope that the novel shows in both its positive and negative lights.
• Colors, which are very significant in this methodically color-coded novel.

What's Next?

Review where the green light appears to get a better sense of its context: Chapter 1 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 9 , explore the way the end of The Great Gatsby connects to its beginning through the recurring image of the green light and compare and contrast Nick and Gatsby to see what the different ways they relate to the green light says about them.

Want to get some of that green light into your own life? Get yourself some Gatsby accessories from our list of the 15 must-have items for every fan of The Great Gatsby .

Check out all the other symbols that enrich this novel.

Decide whether Gatsby primarily treats Daisy as an object , or whether he does have a sense of her as a person and loves her for herself .

Read along as we walk through other works of literature with our analyses of " Do not go gently into that good night " (Dylan Thomas), The Cask of Amontillado (Edgar Allan Poe), and The Crucible (Arthur Miller).

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

This essay sample explores the symbolism in The Great Gatsby . Some of the symbolism examples are the eyes, color, and the valley of ashes. Find out what they represent with the help of our The Great Gatsby symbolism essay sample!

The Great Gatsby Symbolism: The Eyes

Symbolism in the great gatsby: the green light, symbolism in the great gatsby: the valley of ashes.

Most of the imposing novels have symbols that represent the themes in pushing forth the objective of the book. In The Great Gatsby there are several symbols but the most powerful appears to be the eyes that overlook the valley from a bill board.

Although this symbol is marginally influencing the course of events, it holds a deep meaning in the intention of the novel. There are other symbols which essentially have a bearing on the way people perceive the symbols in the book as affecting their value judgments. In the literary context, symbols represent the different concepts and ideas in regard to the colors, figures and characters (Matthew J. Bruccoli, 2002).

The Eyes are in fact a pair of spectacled and pale eyes that appear tinted on a bill board that watches over the valley of ashes. Although the novel has never made this conclusion directly, it is much evident that the eyes symbolize that they are observing the deeds of the American society in looking upon the valley as a moral wasteland.

It is known in this context that throughout the novel Fitzgerald has suggested that symbols are in the nature of only conveying a meaning since it is the characters that infuse them with the inherent meanings. A different meaning is only drawn by George Wilson, who in being struck with grief draws a connection between God and the eyes of Doctor T J Eckleburg.

There is a visible lack of tangible meaning to the character of the image which brings about an unsettled feeling to the observer. Hence it can be implied that the eyes also connote the lack of meaning in the world as also the randomness in the mental process of people in drawing meanings from objects.

Such ideas are explored by Nick in Chapter eight while he is engrossed in his imagination about Gatsby’s thought processes which lead to depression in thinking of the prevailing emptiness in dreams and symbols (Jonathan Yardley, 2007).

Ample significance of eyes is implied in this regard by F. Scott Fitzgerald when he says, “The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg… look out of no face, but instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose. …But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.” (1999, p 27-28)

The green light is positioned at the ending of Daisy East Egg docks and is hardly noticeable from the West Egg lawn of Gatsby and symbolizes the dreams and hopes for Gatsby’s future. In his book Gatsby has associated the green light with Daisy who is depicted in chapter 1 as making efforts in reaching towards it in the dark in assuming that it will lead him in the direction of his goals.

Since the American dream that Gatsby has is largely associated with the pursuit for Daisy, the green light is in the nature of symbolizing this rather sweeping ideal. Nick also compares in chapter nine, the green light with America in imagining how it must have appeared to the earlier colonists of the new nation as it rose out of the oceans (Dan Morpurgo, 2008).

In regard to the green light F. Scott Fitzgerald has aptly narrated, “And as I sat there, brooding on the old unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him….” (1999, p 189)

The Valley of ashes is initially presented in chapter two as being located between New York City and West Egg. It comprises of a lengthy expanse of deserted land which became so as a result of the large scale disposal of industrial ashes.

The Valley of Ashes is in the nature of representing the social and moral decaying in society which is a result of the unreserved quest for wealth on the part of the richer strata of society who indulge in such practices just for their own satisfaction and pleasures.

It also symbolizes the suffering of the poor just as George Wilson, who had no option but to exist with the unclean ashes and in the process to have lost his vigor and vitality. The valley of Ashes has a lot of significance as evident from the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, “This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat…” (1999, p 26)

Dan Morpurgo, Book Review: The Great Gatsby, February, 2008, Associated Content.

Jonathan Yardley, ‘Gatsby’: The Greatest Of Them All, January 2, 2007, The Washington Post.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, 1999, Scribner.

Matthew J. Bruccoli, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: A Literary Reference, 2002, Carroll & Graf.

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The Wonderful World of the Great Gatsby - Summary, Analysis, Symbolism

Francis Scott Fitzgerald is the American writer that managed to describe the richness and carelessness of the 1920s in the USA in bright colors. The author himself was the child of the golden period, known as the “Jazz Age”. While those eccentric and lavish times are gone now, readers can still enjoy the heritage of his books that bring about the spirit of freedom, joy, and selfishness. “The Great Gatsby” is the most well-known of his novels. It was written in 1925 – the time of Dry Law, gangster wars, impressive parties, and spectacular lifestyles.

The life path of the protagonist of this book, Jay Gatsby, slightly resembles Fitzgerald himself. In his writing career, Fitzgerald has seen everything – from admiration and acclaim for his first novel “This Side of Paradise” in 1920, to destructive indifference and cruel critique for a number of his other works. Similarly, for Jay Gatsby, the achievement of the American dream turned out to be a devastating life tragedy – his way towards the top of the societal ladder, despite the fame and wealth it brought him, led to disappointment and loss. After reading the book the reader is able to understand that what people want deep inside are not material goods, but emotional ones – sincere, reciprocal, and eternal love.

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But for now, let’s forget about the shadows and transport ourselves into the American life of the 1920s: imagine yourself being surrounded by beautiful women, endless joy, sweet jazz music, people having fun, and the waves breaking on the shore next to the lavish mansion of the famous Jay Gatsby, the king of all party hosts.

Main Characters of the Book

The book is way more complicated than relationships between two persons — protagonist Jay Gatsby and his beloved Daisy Buchanan.

Who is Jay Gatsby? Is he a mystery, a fraud, a murderer, a rich man, or a poor man? He is all of those things to some extent, and at the same time he is none of those things. This man represents the collective image of a society where everybody can pick traits that they can relate to. Gatsby is a romantic man, a dreamer who enjoys beauty and kindness. He lives with the fantasy of being together with his beloved, Daisy. But at the same time, he is the product of his consumerist society; he defines his worth by the tribute other people pay to him.

Fitzgerald devotes the most attention to the first aspect of Jay’s personality – his romantic side. He spends a lot of time looking for past ideals and dreams, which in reality turn out to be lost and phony. Daisy is the dream, but also is the death of Gatsby. The fact that his image of her doesn’t hold true portrays the key message of the book – a civilization whose morals can be manipulated by the desire for material goods cannot be humane, nor happy.

Throughout the whole book, Gatsby’s image remains a bit blurry and undefined, partly because his story is told through the eyes of another person – Nick Carraway. The two opposite aspects of his personality that live side by side in Gatsby’s character are represented by the people he surrounds himself by. Nick represents the bright side.

Nick Carraway

Nick is the personification of human kindness, the beauty of a man’s soul, honesty, and internal courage. The fact that he narrates the story defines its tone—despite showing both sides of the “lost generation”, the book still reads in a positive and pleasant way. Nick’s story unfolds together with that of Jay Gatsby: for example, he falls in love with Jordan while telling how Jay fell for Daisy. Nick and Gatsby share many traits: courage, dignity, and sincere benevolence. However, unlike Gatsby, Nick can resist the temptations and dark sides. After realizing the shallowness of his beloved Jordan, he finds the strength to eventually break up their relationship, while Gatsby continues his relationship with Daisy—trying to live the false dream he had created in his head.

Nick sees the real intentions of Jay Gatsby, and what is even more important, he foresees how they could play out. He is a good friend, essentially he is the only person that stays by his friend’s side towards the end of the novel once everybody else has turned their backs on him. It’s ironic how Nick is one of the few people to show up at the funeral, while hundreds had enjoyed Gatsby’s parties. Mr Carraway is a responsible man who is not afraid to stand up to society. He is able to make a moral choice in circumstances that dictate otherwise. It is because of people like Nick that the author believed his society would be able to find moral grounds in the complex American reality of those times.

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On the other side, the topic of the wicked American dream is centered in the novel around several characters with a big “commercial” emphasis – in particular, they are Daisy Buchanan, her husband Tom Buchanan, and her friend Jordan.

Daisy Buchanan

Daisy Buchanan is a woman that was born into wealth. She is a beautiful woman with a melodious voice. She is fun, easygoing, but hard to reach. Her inaccessibility turns her into an objective for Gatsby. But after all, there has always been a distance between them: when Gatsby finally became rich, Daisy had already married and had a child. When Daisy left her husband for Gatsby, the differences in values among them still kept the lovebirds apart. Daisy’s initial image as a beautiful woman, a wife and a mother crashed with every next chapter of the book.

Daisy is a woman born into her times, she is frivolous and featherbrained. For example, she is easily excited by the luxurious interior design of Gatsby’s mansion, the large wardrobe he possesses, and his perceived greatness in the eyes of her surroundings. Gatsby admits that the sound of her voice sounds like money. She is also a woman of great tragedy, as she is not able to live the life she truly wants. She first turns down Gatsby when they were young (and thus she betrays her true feelings, in fact), then she wants to be with him (because of his riches), but is too scared to leave her husband (where she betrays her feelings again).

Read our article about DAISY FROM THE GREAT GATSBY to see how her character unfolds in the novel

Tom Buchanan

If Jay Gatsby balances a constant battle between his two different personas, Tom is a personification of one set of them. He is overly selfish, confident in his uniqueness, projects physical strength, holds on steadily to his individualistic views, and is not shy in demonstrating his ignorance and limited mindset. Just like his wife, from his birth, Tom enjoyed being of high status and substantially benefiting from his family’s financial position. That’s why his morals and ideas about humanity are largely defined by being wealthy. For him, the horrors of other social classes and even death (like the death of Myrtle Wilson) are secondary concepts not worthy of his attention.

The external beauty of the Buchanan couple is contrasted with the ugliness inside of them, their emptiness, and their selfishness. Tom can spend long hours watching the shop windows, fascinated by the sparkles from the diamonds. Yet, he can’t hold a serious thought, even for a minute. Tom’s lack of development and personal progress throughout the pages of the book are set from the very first chapter, where the author presents him as: “…one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax”.

Jordan Baker

Jordan is described in the novel as a dishonest, selfish, overly ambitious, and even cruel woman. She is undeniably pretty and devotes a lot of effort into her looks. But once the reader gets past her looks, she is empty. The romantic involvement between her and Nick ends once the young man is able to see into her soul and discover her emptiness. The couple has a completely different approach to life. Nick is careful when thinking about how his actions might affect the people that surround him. At the same time Jordan couldn’t care less about how she might influence other people; she only cares about what others think of her.

Jordan is cynical and overly self-opinionated. She wants to win and doesn’t always play fair. The young lady is not as rich as her friend Daisy, and that’s why she is determined to do whatever it takes to make her way into the world of the rich and famous. The author stresses the dishonesty of Jordan – that she is willing to do whatever it takes to mold reality to the way she wants it to be.

Meyer Wolfsheim

Mr. Wolfsheim is a secondary character in the novel who is not described in depth by the author. On the contrary, through his lines, Meyer Wolfsheim delivers some valuable information about the past and present of other characters in the novel, like Nick Carraway. Meyer knows Gatsby through business ventures. Meyer is even assumed to play a great role in the 1919 World Series. The dealings of Mr. Wolfsheim are clearly shady, which also casts doubt about the legitimacy of Gatsby’s wealth.

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Short Summary of The Great Gatsby Plot

The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who is 30 years old and comes from a wealthy family. Chapter 1 tells us how he starts his business in credit dealings after returning from the war. He rented a house in West Egg across the bay from the house of his second cousin Daisy. Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan. Nick knows Tom from college, he spent some time with the couple in the past in Chicago. Tom is well-build physically and loaded financially to the point that “… he left Chicago and came east in a fashion that rather took your breath away: for instance he'd brought down a string of polo ponies from Lake Forest. It was hard to realize that a man in my own generation was wealthy enough to do that” (Chapter 1). Tom started cheating on his wife right after the engagement, she knows about it, but they both seem to ignore it. Tom even introduces Nick to his lover Myrtle Wilson, who also happens to be the wife of Tom’s friend Wilson. In chapter 2 Tom explains the ignorance of Wilson:

"Wilson? He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York. He's so dumb he doesn't know he's alive."

Next to Nick lives Jay Gatsby. His house is a huge villa that becomes flooded with people and parties every weekend. One day Nick gets an invitation to one of these parties. This is strange – usually people don’t wait for an invitation, they just show up. Not many of the people who attend the parties have seen the host, he remains a mystery to most of them. However, over time Nick becomes friends with Gatsby, and one day Jay asks Nick to set up an “accidental” meeting with his cousin Daisy.

Turns out Gatsby met Daisy five years ago when he was a lieutenant. The two fell in love, but the circumstances didn’t allow for them to be together. Right before marriage Daisy received a letter that almost made her call off the engagement. As one of her bridesmaids recalls in chapter 4:

“She wouldn't let go of the letter... she didn't say another word. We gave her spirits of ammonia and put ice on her forehead and hooked her back into her dress and half an hour later when we walked out of the room the pearls were around her neck and the incident was over. Next day at five o'clock she married Tom Buchanan without so much as a shiver and started off on a three months' trip to the South Seas”.

When the old love birds meet for the first time after so many years, both are very emotional. Jay shows Daisy his house, they throw a couple of memories about, and the feelings ignite once again. Daisy begins to frequently attend Gatsby’s parties. He wants her to leave her husband and run away with him. Tom enters into a battle for his wife. One day his friend Wilson finds out that Myrtle is unfaithful, but he doesn’t know that she is cheating on him with Tom. When Wilson tells Tom that he wants to take Myrtle away from this city, Tom realizes that he is losing not only his wife, but also his mistress:

Chapter 7 “Tom was feeling the hot whips of panic. His wife and his mistress, until an hour ago secure and inviolate, were slipping precipitately from his control”

Gatsby confronts Tom, telling him that Daisy has always loved him but only married Tom because Gatsby was poor when the two met. Trying to save his marriage, Tom tells Daisy that Jay’s income comes from a shady source to make her think twice before leaving her husband. Later, they take a trip. On their way home Daisy rides in a car with Gatsby, while everybody else is with Tom. At the same time, Myrtle argues with her husband and runs into the beige Rolls-Royce—thinking that it was Tom riding there. As a result, she gets run over and dies—the car doesn’t even stop. Afterwards, Jay tells Nick that it was Daisy driving the car.

Gatsby spends the whole following day next to Daisy’s mansion wanting to talk to her. Instead, Daisy packs her things and runs away with her husband, without leaving any address. In chapter 6 the reader finds out more about Gatsby’s life story: his real name is James Gatz. He changed his name at the age of 17 since “he had the name ready for a long time... The truth was that Jay Gatsby, of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his Platonic conception of himself” (Chapter 6). Jay tells Nick about all the hardships he had to go through to become rich to finally be together with Daisy.

Tom tells Wilson that the car that killed his wife belongs to Gatsby. Having no hope for justice, he comes to Gatsby’s mansion, kills him, and then shoots himself as well. Nick calls all of the people who frequented Gatsby’s parties, but only three come to the funeral: Jay’s father, Nick, and one other party visitor. Everybody else ignores the funeral, as it is not as fun to attend them.

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The Great Gatsby Essay Sample

Explore a crafted example of literary analysis in our sample essay, offering new perspectives on The Great Gatsby.

Analysis of the Great Gatsby

Historical context.

Understanding the historical context helps us see how Fitzgerald was commenting on the society of his time. He shows us the dark side of the American Dream, where success often comes at a cost.

During the time when "The Great Gatsby" was written, the United States was going through a period called the Roaring Twenties. This was a time of economic prosperity, jazz music, and changing social norms. The economy was booming, and many people were getting rich quickly.

But underneath the glitz and glamour, there were some deep-rooted issues. The 1920s also saw a lot of social tensions, like racism, sexism, and the divide between the rich and the poor.

One important event during this time was Prohibition, which banned the sale and consumption of alcohol. This led to the rise of illegal bars called speakeasies and a surge in organized crime.

"The Great Gatsby" is set in this period, and it explores themes of wealth, power, and the American Dream. The characters in the novel are often chasing after wealth and status, but they also struggle with loneliness and emptiness.

Reception of the Book

The book wasn't an instant hit when it was first published in 1925. In fact, it didn't sell very well during author F. Scott Fitzgerald's lifetime. Critics at the time had mixed feelings about it. Some praised its lyrical prose and exploration of the American Dream, while others found its characters shallow and its themes bleak.

However, after Fitzgerald's death in 1940, there was a resurgence of interest in his work, and "The Great Gatsby" began to be seen as one of the greatest American novels. It became required reading in many schools and universities, and its reputation continued to grow over the years.

Today, "The Great Gatsby" is considered a classic of American literature. It's praised for its vivid depiction of the Jazz Age, its complex characters, and its exploration of themes like the corruption of the American Dream and the emptiness of wealth and privilege. It's been adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and even video games, further solidifying its place in the literary canon.

What Does The Great Gatsby Teach Us about Love?

The novel offers a complex perspective on love. On one hand, it portrays love as something idealistic and aspirational, particularly through the character of Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby's love for Daisy is all-consuming and drives much of the plot. He sees her as the embodiment of his dreams and is willing to go to great lengths to win her back, even if it means compromising his morals and engaging in illegal activities.

However, beneath the glamour lies a stark truth: Daisy's heart is torn between past affection and present duty. This clash exposes the harsh reality of societal pressures, where wealth and status often overshadow genuine emotion.

Additionally, the novel hints at love's fleeting nature. Gatsby's romantic idealization of Daisy is based on his memories of their past together, but these memories are distorted and unreliable. Gatsby's inability to see Daisy as she truly is leads to his downfall, as he becomes fixated on an idealized version of her rather than the reality.

Themes in the Great Gatsby

The roaring twenties.

After World War 1, 1919-1929 were years of rapid economic growth for the United States which ended in the Great Depression in the 1930s. To some extent, the consequences of such rapid growth and the sudden fall that happened afterwards are pictured in “The Great Gatsby”. The book demonstrates how easily people forget the past and become careless. For example, the people that took advantage of Gatsby’s hospitality repaid their host by not bothering to get to know him. And everybody was fine with that, there was no demand or value in being sincere, attentive, or honest.

The American Dream

Jay Gatsby represents the icon of the American dream concept – he is a self-made man who went from being extremely poor to becoming unbelievably rich.

Chapter 6 “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people — his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all”

Yet through his hard work, he made it into high-class. But did the achievement of materialistic things really make him happy? The novel ends with a philosophical quote that once again reiterates the transience of life:

Chapter 9 “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”

Gatsby is not the last person to be swallowed and forgotten by a society of quick results and massive consumption, but maybe he was one of the better examples for teaching others to appreciate people for who they truly are.

Love is something that many books/movies/poems and other art creations praise. Love is what motivates Gatsby to achieve the wealth and high-status he enjoys when the reader meets him for the first time. But there is another side to the theme of love in “The Great Gatsby” – as it turns out, love can be true or fake. A person can fall in love with another person, but very often we fall in love with an image or ideal of the person that we want to believe in. While Jay has real feelings for Daisy, he admits that she loves money and comfort more than she loves him. Daisy thinks she loves Jay, but in fact, she is so overwhelmed by the artificial standards set by the society that she can’t even love herself.

Class (Old Money, New Money, No Money)

The novel demonstrates how much class influences one’s position in society. Tom and Daisy are both born into wealth, and their characters are formed by the benefits that their wealth produces. They are extremely reckless people that ruin people’s lives and then hide behind the wall of their wealth. Moreover, there is a distinction between people born into wealth and those who have earned it. First of all, the author manages to demonstrate a lot of positive traits in Gatsby’s character (exactly because he is of the “new money generation”). He knows the value of money and he has the goodness in him that helped him achieve his accomplishments. On the other hand, there is a prejudice of old money towards the new wealthy generation: Tom rushes to point out to Daisy that Jay is rich, but the origins of his wealth are different, and it rids Daisy of the little courage she had collected to leave her husband for Gatsby.

Past and Future

“The Great Gatsby” describes a happy time in American history that is distinctively different from the past (when there was war and horror) and the future of that time (when the Great Depression hit). This theme is reflected in characters that enjoy the present, without thinking about the future or any consequences their actions might take. Yet, some characters are stuck in the past—like Gatsby, who loves the Daisy he met years ago yet refuses to notice how she’s changed. The novel also sends a message to not judge people too quickly—all of us have some hidden truth that shaped the way we behave today.

Symbolism in the Great Gatsby

The green light and the color green.

The green light, in “The Great Gatsby”, is associated with happiness, prosperity, and abundance. Traditionally, it is regarded as Gatsby’s desire to be with Daisy. But, there are other ways to interpret this symbol. The visitors would follow the flashing green light when coming to Gatsby’s lavish parties. Daisy often watched and listened to those parties while seeing the green glow on the dock across the bay. For Daisy, green was the color of richness and desire. She says in chapter 6:

“These things excite me so… If you want to kiss me any time during the evening, Nick, just let me know and I'll be glad to arrange it for you. Just mention my name. Or present a green card. I'm giving out green…"

The light also symbolizes the birth and death of Gatsby: Jay Gatsby was reborn together with the luxurious living he had made for himself, but it wasn’t long until this new life had ended. As Nick says in chapter 1:

“Involuntarily I glanced seaward and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away… When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness.”

You might also be interested in discovering WHAT IS SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE

The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The eyes of Doctor Eckleburg are first presented in chapter 2:

“The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic — their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose.”

They are nothing more than the leftovers of a portrait or a picture, but in the novel they represent the symbol of somebody who is watching over the main characters. The eyes don’t judge them, but the tension is there. The fact that these eyes are abandoned demonstrates how uncomfortable Daisy and the other main characters felt whilst seeing them. It is almost like looking in the mirror and not liking what you see – but, after all, it is you who gives the meaning to the image you see in it.

The Valley of Ashes

The Valley of Ashes is the territory that the main characters pass when traveling between West Egg and New York. It is a long stretch of devastated land that “hastily joins the railroad and runs beside it for a quarter of a mile” (Chapter 2). It is associated with greyness, dullness, and boredom. The people, houses, and streets there are so uninteresting and ordinary that the author describes it as: “ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (chapter 2). It is the place that all of the characters of The Great Gatsby want to avoid the most, yet they have to bypass it when traveling to New York. Thus, The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of the bitter reality that so many people try to escape in their lives.

East and West

The contrasts and dramatic differences between East and West in the USA are not new symbols for literature. The East, in this case, represents wealth, fame, and brightness. The West represents tradition, origins, and values. In the story, East Egg is the place where traditionally, rich people lived. While West Egg is, in Nick’s own words, “the less fashionable of the two” (Chapter 1). Another way to interpret this symbol is that East and West represent the old and new wealth, or the real and fake lives characters lead.

Gatsby's Mansion

Gatsby’s mansion is the place where most of the action starts. It is the symbol of his wealth and his hard efforts to become rich or to be “worthy” – worthy of Daisy, and worthy of the people she surrounds herself with. Gatsby bought this mansion knowing that the love of his life lives nearby:

Chapter 4 “He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths so that he could "come over" some afternoon to a stranger's garden”

The mansion is marvelous and beautiful, but it is not a home where Jay Gatsby feels most happy. Thus, it also resembles many of the characters in the book – they are pretty on the outside, but that doesn’t make them good people. Many of Gatsby’s guests know his mansion, but don’t even know what its owner looks like.

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What Is the Main Message of The Great Gatsby?

What are the three main points of great gatsby, what does the green light mean in great gatsby, why can't gatsby see the green light, related articles.

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Analyze the use of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

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Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby,” is a classic work of American literature that explores the themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream. One of the notable aspects of the novel is Fitzgerald’s masterful use of symbolism, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. This essay will analyze the prominent symbols in “The Great Gatsby” and examine their significance in conveying the novel’s themes and characters.

1. The Green Light: The green light, situated at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock, is one of the most iconic symbols in the novel. It represents Gatsby’s aspirations and longing for a better future, specifically his desire to be reunited with Daisy. The green light also symbolizes the American Dream and the elusive nature of success. It embodies both hope and unattainability, as Gatsby’s pursuit of the green light ultimately leads to his downfall.

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2. The Valley of Ashes: The Valley of Ashes, a desolate industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York City, symbolizes the moral and social decay that exists beneath the glamorous surface of the wealthy. It represents the consequences of the pursuit of material wealth and the stark contrast between the rich and the poor. The Valley of Ashes serves as a reminder of the hollowness of the American Dream and the emptiness of the lives of the characters.

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby- The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg: The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, painted on a billboard in the Valley of Ashes, symbolize the loss of moral values and the all-seeing, judgmental presence of God. The eyes are frequently mentioned in the novel, representing the characters’ guilt, the corruption of the American Dream, and the idea that one’s actions are always being observed and judged.

3. The Mansion and the Parties: Gatsby’s lavish mansion and extravagant parties symbolize the excesses and superficiality of the Jazz Age. The mansion represents Gatsby’s material wealth and his desire to impress others. However, it also serves as a facade, concealing Gatsby’s true self and his longing for acceptance and love. The parties, filled with hedonism and superficiality, symbolize the emptiness and moral decay of the upper class.

4. The Color Symbolism: Colors are used symbolically throughout the novel. The color white represents innocence, purity, and the unattainable ideal. Daisy, often associated with the color white, embodies this symbol, as she is seen as ethereal and unattainable to Gatsby. On the other hand, the color yellow symbolizes corruption, deceit, and the decay of the American Dream. The yellow symbolism is evident in the characters of Tom Buchanan and his mistress, Myrtle Wilson.

5. The Weather: The weather in “The Great Gatsby” is employed symbolically to reflect the characters’ emotions and the narrative’s tone. For example, the scorching heat of the summer represents the intense passions and tensions among the characters. The rain, particularly during Gatsby’s climactic confrontation with Tom, represents emotional turmoil and the cleansing or purging of the characters’ sins.

The Great Gatsby “Themes”

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby- Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby,” is a classic work of American literature that delves into various themes that continue to resonate with readers. Set in the 1920s, the novel offers a glimpse into the Jazz Age and explores themes such as the elusive nature of the American Dream, the corrupting influence of wealth, the illusion of social class, the power of love and obsession, and the inevitability of time and its impact on human lives. This essay will analyze these themes and their significance in understanding the characters and the world portrayed in “The Great Gatsby.”

1. The Elusive American Dream: One of the central themes in “The Great Gatsby” is the elusive nature of the American Dream. The characters, especially Jay Gatsby, strive to achieve their vision of success, wealth, and happiness. However, Fitzgerald portrays the Dream as ultimately unattainable, highlighting the disillusionment and emptiness that accompanies the pursuit of material wealth.

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby- The novel raises questions about the true nature of the American Dream and its inherent limitations.

2. The Corrupting Influence of Wealth: Fitzgerald explores the theme of the corrupting influence of wealth through the character of Tom Buchanan and the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy elite. Tom, born into privilege, represents the moral decay and arrogance that can accompany immense wealth. The characters’ pursuit of wealth and status often leads to moral compromises, superficiality, and a loss of genuine human connection.

3. Illusion versus Reality: “The Great Gatsby” delves into the contrast between illusion and reality. The characters construct elaborate facades, hiding their true selves behind carefully crafted personas. Gatsby himself is the embodiment of this theme, creating a grandiose identity to win back Daisy’s love. The novel questions the consequences of living in a world of illusions, where appearances and superficiality mask deeper truths.

4. Social Class and the Illusion of Mobility: Fitzgerald examines the theme of social class and the illusion of social mobility. The stark divide between the “old money” and the “new money” becomes a lens through which the characters’ lives are examined. Gatsby’s attempts to infiltrate the upper class reveal the limitations and prejudices that exist within society, highlighting the notion that social mobility and acceptance are often unattainable for those not born into privilege.

5. Love and Obsession: Love and obsession are central themes in “The Great Gatsby.” Gatsby’s infatuation with Daisy fuels his relentless pursuit of wealth and success. The novel explores the destructive power of obsession, as characters become entangled in unhealthy relationships and become blind to the realities around them. Love, in this context, becomes an elusive and unattainable ideal, leading to heartbreak and tragedy.

6. Time and the Transience of Life: The theme of time and the transience of life permeate the novel. The characters’ constant preoccupation with the past and their attempts to recreate or recapture it illustrate the fleeting nature of time. The novel suggests that the past cannot be relived and that attempting to do so is ultimately futile. The passage of time also serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of mortality.

Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is a rich tapestry of symbolism that enhances the novel’s themes and characters. The various symbols employed by Fitzgerald serve to deepen the readers’ understanding of the story and evoke emotions and ideas beyond the surface level. The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, the Valley of Ashes represents the moral decay of society, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg embody the loss of moral values. The mansion and parties exemplify the excesses and superficiality of the Jazz Age, while color symbolism and the weather further enhance the narrative’s themes and atmosphere.

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby- Through these symbols, Fitzgerald examines the destructive power of wealth, the illusion of the American Dream, and the emptiness and corruption that lurks beneath the glamour of the upper class. The symbols also reflect the characters’ desires, aspirations, and moral shortcomings. Gatsby’s yearning for the green light and Daisy, the characters’ interaction with the Valley of Ashes, and the allure of Gatsby’s mansion and parties all contribute to the novel’s exploration of the complex human experience.

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby- By employing symbolism throughout the novel, Fitzgerald invites readers to delve deeper into the themes and moral dilemmas presented in “The Great Gatsby.” The symbols serve as a lens through which to view the characters’ motivations, their relationships, and the societal context in which they exist. They heighten the emotional impact of the story and leave a lasting impression on readers, prompting them to reflect on the illusions and realities of the American Dream, the consequences of materialism, and the complexities of human nature.

“The Great Gatsby” stands as a testament to Fitzgerald’s skillful use of symbolism, illustrating how symbols can transcend their literal meanings and convey deeper layers of meaning and significance. It is through the exploration of these symbols that the novel continues to captivate and resonate with readers, shedding light on the timeless themes of love, longing, social class, and the human condition.

Q. What is the main plot of “The Great Gatsby”?

Ans. “The Great Gatsby” is set in the 1920s and follows the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious man, as narrated by Nick Carraway, a young bond salesman. Gatsby is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, who is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and arrogant man. The novel explores themes of love, wealth, social class, and the American Dream, as Gatsby seeks to win back Daisy’s love and navigate the glamorous but morally ambiguous world of the wealthy elite.

Q. What is the significance of the title “The Great Gatsby”?

Ans. The title “The Great Gatsby” reflects both the character of Jay Gatsby himself and the larger themes of the novel. Gatsby is referred to as “great” due to his larger-than-life persona, his immense wealth, and his aspirations. However, the title also suggests irony, as Gatsby’s greatness is ultimately undermined by the corrupting influence of wealth and his tragic pursuit of an unattainable dream.

Q. What is the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”?

Ans. The American Dream in “The Great Gatsby” refers to the idea of achieving success, wealth, and happiness through hard work and determination. However, Fitzgerald presents a critical view of the Dream, highlighting its elusive nature and the moral compromises often required to attain it. The novel explores the hollowness and disillusionment that can accompany the pursuit of material wealth, questioning the true meaning of success and happiness.

Q. Who is Jay Gatsby?

Ans. Jay Gatsby, the novel’s protagonist, is a self-made millionaire with a mysterious past. He is known for his extravagant parties and his obsession with Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby represents the American Dream in its pursuit of wealth and social status. He is driven by his love for Daisy and the belief that he can recreate the past and win her back, but ultimately, his dreams unravel in tragedy.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Great Gatsby Symbolism — Fitzgerald’s Use Of Weather Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald’s Use of Weather Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

• Categories: Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby Symbolism

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Words: 1923 |

10 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 1923 | Pages: 4 | 10 min read

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is a literary masterpiece that weaves a rich tapestry of symbolism throughout its narrative. Among the many symbolic elements employed in the novel, weather symbolism plays a significant role, amplifying the importance of events that transpire within its pages. Through the use of weather and the changing seasons, Fitzgerald skillfully foreshadows the unfolding drama that will shape the lives of its characters.

The ever-changing weather in the story not only serves as a backdrop but also influences the characters' moods and actions. It creates a temperamental atmosphere, setting the stage for crucial moments that drive the narrative forward. Two key instances stand out: Gatsby's poignant reunion with Daisy, and the tense confrontation between Tom and Gatsby. The weather serves as a kind of emotional barometer, reflecting the tension and turmoil in these pivotal scenes. Fitzgerald's use of weather symbolism adds depth and complexity to the narrative, emphasizing the interconnectedness of external elements and the characters' inner lives. Through these symbolic weather patterns, the novel highlights the inevitability of fate and the profound impact of external forces on the lives of its characters, ultimately contributing to the novel's enduring power and resonance in the realm of American literature.

Table of contents

Introduction, weather symbolism in the great gatsby.

• Audhuy, L. (1980). The" Waste land" Myth and Symbols in" The Great Gatsby". Etudes anglaises, 33(1), 41. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/29ef390fcdd3ab1ef0324abaf3bc54c3/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18178540)
• Samkanashvili, M. (2013). Uses of symbols and colors in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Journal of Education, 2(1), 31-39. (https://jebs.ibsu.edu.ge/jms/index.php/je/article/view/74)
• Millett, F. C. (2013). Symbols in The Great Gatsby. (https://www.excellence-in-literature.com/symbols-in-the-great-gatsby/)
• Berman, R. (1997). The Great Gatsby and Fitzgerald's World of Ideas. (https://philpapers.org/rec/BERTGG)
• Pawlowska, V. (2022). Colour Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: An Analysis of the Meaning and Pattern of Colours. (https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1636853&dswid=8699)

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Home / Essay Samples / Literature / The Great Gatsby / The Great Gatsby: Decoding Symbolism in Fitzgerald’s Classic

The Great Gatsby: Decoding Symbolism in Fitzgerald's Classic

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