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Green Light in The Great Gatsby Essay

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The Green Light in The Great Gatsby

The image of the green light in the novel Great Gatsby, by F. Scott

Fitzgerald, is a significant symbol which reflects Gatsby's dream and other

aspects beyond Gatsby's longing. Throughout the novel Fitzgerald uses many

other images or symbols. At first, it may seem very basic, but when the

symbol is closely studied, one may see the deeper meaning found within it.

Fitzgerald uses these symbols to make a point across to the reader. He

then uses this point and converts it into a deeper meaning, into a myth

about America. The green light mentioned in the novel clearly represents

and is a prime example of this.

Before examining the …show more content…

Therefore, one cannot affiliate Gatsby with Daisy. The

reader does know that Nick admires Gatsby for his dream which is some way

linked with the green light. The color green represents life, hope, and

youth. Gatsby's fantasy will live as long as long as he remains gazing at

the green light.

In chapter four of the novel, Nick finds out from Jordan that

Gatsby bought the house so that Daisy would be just across the bay. Nick

responds to this fact: "Then it had not been merely the stars to which he

had aspired on that June night. He came alive to me, delivered suddenly

from the womb of his purposeless splendor."

Until this point, Gatsby was a puzzle. Nick, at this moment,

solves the puzzle: Gatsby's house and extravagant style of living is a

necessity to reaching and fulfilling his dream rather than a flamboyant

exhibit of wealth. The truth that Gatsby is yearning for Daisy is now

apparent. This is being symbolized by the green light at the end of the

dock.

Gatsby finally meets Daisy in Chapter five of the novel. The

symbol of the green light becomes very evident. It becomes so distinct

that Gatsby even shows Daisy the green light. He says, "If it wasn't for

the mist we could see your home across the bay... You always have a green

light that burns all night at the end of your dock." Daisy is so

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