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Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

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Symbolism is one of many literary elements that enhances a story with it's power of a deeper meaning and reader involvement. Involving the reader is important because it keeps them interested, and allows them to explore what the symbol's meaning is and how it contributes to a storyline. F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered to be a master of this technique. Throughout his novel, The Great Gatsby, he uses symbolism in many ways to contribute to the theme, money effects one's actions, personality, and feelings when they let the idea of wealth consume them. Major symbolisms Fitzgerald uses to support the theme would be the billboard of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg and the character, Owl-Eyes. Fitzgerald's first effective use of symbolism is Doctor T. J. Eckleburg's eyes. Indirectly, a readers can gather that Doctor T. J. Eckleburg's eyes resemble a greater God watching over the characters in the novel. George Wilson fuels this symbolism when he tells Michaelis about the moment he confronted Myrtle about her affair. "and I said 'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!'" " Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. . ." (159). Although George is in a delirious state of mind and may believe those are truly the watchful eyes of God, the reader can see Fitzgerald is using the eyes as a symbolism. The billboards eyes were able to watch the truth of Myrtle and

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