The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

One of the most significant examples of symbolism in The Great Gatsby is the Green Light. Appearing at the edge of Daisy’s dock, the color green symbolizes growth and the future, but also envy. The Green

F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for his use of symbols and imagery throughout The Great Gatsby to illustrate his many ideas and themes. The green light is a symbol that seems to pervade the novel, taking on many meanings. The image of the green light is presented in Chapter 1, as Gatsby extended his arms to the “single green light” at Daisy’s dock as if it were some sort of religious icon. Jordan also confirms this sense of idolization when she says that “Gatsby bought [his] house so that Daisy would be just across the bay,” suggesting his obsessive devotion to Daisy (77). As shown in Chapter 9, the green light can also be interpreted as a symbol of growth. Near the end of the novel, Fitzgerald illustrates Daisy’s dock transforming into the

The green light is one of the most important symbols in The Great Gatsby, since it portrays the novel’s theme excellently. The reader first gets introduced to the green light in Chapter One,

The most noticeable colours to come across are green and white. Green colour stands for peace along with Gatsby’s perseverance to marry his love, Daisy. This colour maintained perception of many changes, opinions, and beliefs which Gatsby faced throughout the novel. Green meant dedication and peace, too. Green light also was depicted by at the end of Daisy's dock. F. Scott Fitzgerald used this colour to describe the life of Gatsby as peaceful before he meets Daisy again. After their reunification, they were in Gatsby’s bedroom, looking at the bay. Gatsby looked and pointed out the green light and said “If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay” (92). Then he continued “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock” (92). It was portrayed as a Gatsby’s long-life love to Daisy. He had been looking at the light as well. Later in the book, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "His dream must have seemed so close that

Involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light,” (Fitzgerald 20-21). The symbol of the green light on Daisy’s dock is first introduced here. The light represents the ambitions of Jay Gatsby. When he reaches towards it in this passage, it symbolizes him reaching toward his goal of winning Daisy back. Gatsby has completely reinvents himself from his first encounter with Daisy.

The Green light that is seen in the Great Gatsby symbolizes Gatsby's hope for the future. The light shows that Gatsby will forever be a dreamer. The fact that throughout the entire novel the green light remains constant reinforces Gatsby’s dreamer ways. “ ...Involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.…” (Fitzgerald 21). The green light is introduced at the beginning of the novel. The light itself is seen by both Gatsby and Nick, when Nick sees Gatsby looking out at the ocean. The light is something that Gatsby focuses on throughout the novel as an anchor. It brings Gatsby hope for what the future will bring to him. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eludes us then, but that’s no matter- to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning---- So we beat on, boats against the current….” (Fitzgerald 180). The green light reminds Gatsby of Daisy, his one “true” love. Daisy is the unchanging obsession in his life. Gatsby always holds out hope that he will one day win her over. The light allows Gatsby, even as a grown man, to reminisce on his younger days and allows him to be a dreamer. Fitzgerald uses the green light as a way for Gatsby to consistently connect to that longing. The need to be the charming rich socialite that throws spectacular parties. The man who fits the bill of the American dream to a T. While Gatsby was always hoping for Daisy, and using the green light as a vessel to not forget his goal, Fitzgerald was reminding us, the readers, that Gatsby is in

The symbolism in The Great Gatsby brings forth a new perspective as to how we perceive the characters and their actions. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, symbolism plays a crucial role in understanding the motives of the characters, and helps the reader better sympathize with them. Although there are numerous important symbols in this story, the most prominent are the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg that looks over the Valley of Ashes, and the Valley of Ashes itself. These symbols and their meanings help better express the theme of the “American Dream” that is strived for, as well as show the ongoing war between love and wealth, and social and moral destruction.

While many lived non luxurious lifestyles, Jay Gatsby was not one of them- but for the wrong reasons. The green light at the end of Daisy’s Dock is a central symbol to the novel, as it represents Gatsby’s American Dream and his desire for the uncorrupted past. When Gatsby stretches

Yet, the author hints that the green light also represents Daisy, when Gatsby says to Daisy. “ You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock (pg. 98).” Gatsby wants Daisy but, he’ll never be able to have her.

the green light at the end of daisy’s dock is mentioned throughout the novel. It’s clear that Gatsby is aware that the light belongs to her, which is why he stares at it night after night. “The dream [that] must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it" (Fitzgerald 149). It’s clear from this quote that the green light is symbolic for an unobtainable dream. On the surface, it may appear that it’s symbolic of Gatsby never having Daisy for himself, but when looking at the novel as a whole, the light symbolizes the life that Gatsby dreamed of, but will never have.

This light was a very important symbol in this novel. Across the bay from Gatsby’s house there is a bright green light. Gatsby lives on West Egg, and the light is seen on East Egg. This light happens to belong to Daisy, as it is at the end of her dock. Fitzgerald uses this green light to represent Gatsby’s dream. Gatsby’s dream is to be with Daisy. Towards the end of the novel, Gatsby realizes his chance of being with Daisy is gone. “Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now is was again a green light on a dock...” (Gatsby 98).

Colors mean more in literature than one may think. They are used to give hints of what is actually meant by the author and also to show what kind of situation the characters are in. Colors can also be used to show irony and foreshadowing. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, color symbolism is used throughout the entire novel to illustrate the ideas of the American dream, disillusionment, and innocence. Fitzgerald uses white, gold, and green to depict more detail about each character and how they feel about one another.

The green light seems so out of reach at the beginning of the novel, but once Gatsby and Daisy are once again reunited the green light seems to lose all meaning. "It had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever. … Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one. "(Fitzgerald 93).

The Great Gatsby is one of the most read pieces of literature throughout the current modern Western world. High school kids all across the globe must learn and read it as part of their curriculum. One of the aspects that makes this novel so notable is that Fitzgerald, at no point in the story, needs to convey to his audience the theme of his novel directly. The main points of his novel are brought out by the powerful symbols he infuses in the book. Not only does he use them to convey his theme, but also ties them in to the rest of the story. Every aspect of this book is affected by the presence of one of his symbols. Through the use of the green light, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of the Ashes as symbols,

Authors use symbolism to allow the reader to interpret the story. Scott F. Fitzgerald's, The Great Gatsby used symbolism to convey the theme throughout the novel. Without this symbolism, the theme would have been less prominent. The symbols such as the green light, Gatsby's shirts, and the Valley of Ashes all support that the novel reflects the American dream in the 1920s.