Gatsby

Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

In the novel, The Great Gatsby, there is lots of reflection on symbolism, and especially colored symbolism. In this novel symbolism is a very important factor, it shows the difference between the different characters and scenes in the novel. The color green influences the story a lot. Green shows many thoughts, ideas, attitudes, and choices that Gatsby has throughout the story. White too plays an even more important role in the novel as it is used to represent some of the characters, it also talks about the drinking and the driving that happened, where the color green is more a symbol of the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. This sort of symbolism reoccurs in different places throughout the novel, especially with Gatsby.

The color green, as it is used in the novel, symbolizes different choices the character, Gatsby, can make during his life. The green element in this novel is taken from the green light at the end of the dock near Daisy's house. " I watched the green light fade away as the boat drew farther from the dock" (Fitzgerald, 26). The color itself represents calmness, as in everything is perfect. This warns Gatsby that he should not pursue his dream of getting Daisy back because his chance has passed and everything is as it should be. More than other colors in the novel such as gold or blue, with the exception of white, the color green influences the story greatly. Green shows many thoughts, ideas, attitudes, and choices that Gatsby has throughout the story.

Another symbolization of the color green is the meaning "go." Where as in my first example the color green showed that Gatsby should leave well enough alone, in the this example the color green is associated to a traffic light signal where the color green is symbolic of the "go" action. Also, Fitzgerald used this by meaning Gatsby should go for his dream without hesitation. It implies that Gatsby and Daisy are meant to be together and nothing should stop Gatsby from his destined happiness and love with Daisy. It inspires hope, a sort of false hope, for Gatsby that he is on the right path, heading towards the best years of his life. He believes that things will soon be as they once were only better. "I'm going to fix everything just the way they were before," he said nodding determinedly. "She'll see" (84).

The last symbolization the color green has in this novel is an urge to move ahead in life, to do better in life and succeed. Gatsby changes his entire persona for what he thinks is a more sociable, image and status. He is constantly trying to be a more successful figure in society. Ever since he was a boy he put himself on a schedule with hopes for becoming a highly respected, well known person. "He knew he had a big future in front of him." his dad says about him. "Jimmy was bound to get ahead" (98). Once again this takes the reader back to the color green being used