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What Does The Yellow Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Laura Emberson
Mr. Carroll
English Comp II
Literary Analysis Final Copy
16 April 2015
Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Symbolism prevails above all other things throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. The author’s use of symbolism creates many themes throughout the story. Some of the main themes recognized throughout the story are those regarding lies and deceit, marriage, money, religion, and isolation. The symbols creating these themes are represented with colors. The author uses color throughout the story to symbolize deceit, innocence, envy, lifelessness, and sadness.
The color yellow is used to symbolize deceit. Gatsby’s yellow car is used to represent his deceiving life. He wants everyone to perceive him as a well-off, impressive …show more content…

Daisy and Jordan are wearing white dresses the first time Nick sees them, which suggest that they are innocent, almost angelic women. Throughout the book, certain events question whether or not the two women are as pure as their white dresses. Daisy’s innocence is especially questioned. The fact that she considers leaving Tom for Gatsby is one instance which suggests that Daisy is not so innocent after all. Perhaps the author is trying to suggest that even the most innocent people can be corrupted. In the end, Daisy does not leave Tom, which suggests that maybe she really does still have a hint of innocence in her. White symbolizes the theme of …show more content…

The color gray is used to describe the desolate valley of ashes, which then makes anyone or anything else associated with the color gray lifeless as well. George Wilson is described as being covered in ashen dust along with everything else in the valley of ashes which suggests that he has lost hope in his marriage with Myrtle and is depressed as a result. More than once, it is suggested that Dr. TJ Eckelburg’s eyes are the all-seeing eyes of God. The association of Eckelburg to God may lead readers to associate the valley of ashes to a place such as purgatory, where lifeless, hopeless souls remain under the eyes of God, hoping to one day be freed. The religious references made in the book obviously suggest that one of the themes is religion or perhaps the lack of it. The only mention of God is in reference to eyes on a billboard, which suggests that maybe the obsession with wealth and fortune has surpassed the importance of

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