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In literature, symbols are used to add deeper meaning to the story or hint at an emotion or

Decent Essays
In literature, symbols are used to add deeper meaning to the story or hint at an emotion or attitude towards something without directly stating it.In The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald adopts symbolism to set up a sensible and a realistic story.Although many symbols are present throughout the story, the eyes of T.J Eckelberg symbolizes the corruption of society ,his eyes represent the eyes of an almighty God.The Valley of ashes signifies absolute desolation and poverty whereas the green light indicates hope.The eyes of T.J Eckelberg ,The Valley of ashes and the green light are the three major symbols that makes the reader visualize and enhance the story.

Over the valley of ashes there was an old faded billboard of the
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The pertinence of using the words “valley” and “ashes” within the same phrase is that there is a sharp contrast between the word “valley”, which is associated with green, rolling, hills and agriculture, symbolizing life, and “ashes”, which are associated with industry, factories, and in a sense, death. This is in a way romanticizing and ignoring the suffering of those in the Valley of Ashes, by referring to valley as a fantastic farm instead of the awful hell-hole it really is.The Valley of Ashes represented the overlooked half of the American dream, the people who really wanted to become rich and have a luxurious lifestyle. Myrtle is a perfect example for this,Myrtle had an affair with Tom Buchanan who was a wealthy, so Myrtle could get a chance to attend parties and have a better life.
The color green symbolizes hope.To Gatsby, the green light represents his dream, which is Daisy. For Gatsby his American dream wouldn't be completed without Daisy. “…he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away” ().However now when he craves for Daisy, he also craves the past that he shared with
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