(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Symbols of Gatsby

            Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald there are several reoccurring symbols. These metaphorical devices provide for an understanding of the characters and the theme of how the "American Dream" is slowly fading in the 1920's. For most of these symbols there are several different interpretations and meanings. Fitzgerald's use of symbols makes the reader explore different possibilities that make the novel more intriguing. Three of the most important symbols found several times in the novel are the green light, the valley of ashes and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.
             The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock helps build an understanding of the character of Jay Gatsby. In the beginning of the novel Nick Carraway finds Gatsby standing in his back yard "trembling" and reaching out to the green light. During this time Nick is not aware that the green light belongs to the Buchanan's. It is difficult to identify the true meaning of the light from this incident. After reading on, it is determined that the light is used to represent Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future. This "future" is the one that he hopes to share with Daisy. Nick finds Gatsby reaching out to this light on other occasions, hoping that he could finally reach that light. Reflecting on Gatsby's dream at the end of the novel, Nick realizes that Gatsby always held onto this dream because it " . . . seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.".
             The valley of ashes most directly connects to the idea of the loss of the "American Dream." This stretch of land, where ashes from homes and factories are dumped, between the West Egg and New York City is mentioned many times throughout the novel. The land represents the social decay that is a direct result from the shallow goal of being rich and how the rich choose to indulge themselves. They have no regard for others; they only act for their own pleasure and well being.


Essays Related to The Symbols of Gatsby

1. Fitzgerald's Use of Symbols

... foreshadowing its most important events. Without understanding these signs, one can hardly understand the novel. Of the many symbols present in the novel, three of the most prominent are the automobile, representing wealth; the color white, representing Daisy's purity and innocence; and the seasonal change from Summer to Fall, representing Gatsby's death. From chapter one, Fitzgerald relies on the color white to characterize Daisy as an innocent and pure character. In this ... like Gatsby. The Great Gatsby truly is one of the most symbolically complex novels to date. Multiple symbols in...

  • Word Count: 577
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

2. The Great Gatsby - Symbolism and Double Meanings

... the person. Therefore, the billboard represents the allowance of revenge that tags along with karma and the spirit of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg is allowing this revenge in order to restore the balance. The use of symbols in "The Great Gatsby" speaks louder than their original meanings. There are many more examples of symbols with multiple meanings throughout the novel: the rain that baptizes Gatsby, the clock in Nick's house, the variation of light in Gatsby's house, and the valley of ashes. All of the symbols intertwined into the ... sentences add different dimensions and a deeper understandi...

  • Word Count: 1080
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: High School

3. The Great Gatsby

... his eyes on a billboard in the valley of ashes, and the end of Gatsby's and Daisy's is a result of Gatsby's murder After viewing the film and reading the book I believe that none of these symbols were developed exclusively for the film. The film portrays the novels symbolism just as it is written in the original novel. All of the symbols were present in both the film and novel. After reading and watching The Great Gatsby the main idea that comes to everyone ... 's mind is the fact that Gatsby and Daisy ... ...

  • Word Count: 1186
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. The Great Gatsby

... 's novel contains many symbols, themes, and characters throughout the story that make it a classic. First, Fitzgerald's unique use of symbolism and symbols gave the story the emphasis to be called a classic. There are three main symbols in the story, the green light, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and East and West Egg. The green light is a versatile piece of symbolism in the book. It's most obvious interpretation is that the light is symbolic of Gatsby's longing for ... Daisy, but that is too simplistic. Gatsby has spent his whole life ... ...

  • Word Count: 1233
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

5. The Great Gatsby - Critical Review

... of Persuasion Critical Review of The Great Gatsby The portrayal of symbols in the novel In the novel, The Great Gatsby, there were many symbols set up by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Many of the symbols she used wouldn't usually be thought of as a symbol. However, in the book, the symbols were very descriptive and could be recognized easier than in the movie. The movie showed the symbols briefly, but they weren't expressed as much as in the book. Therefore, I think that the book did a better job of ... portraying the symbols. There ... ...

  • Word Count: 509
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Symbols of The Great Gatsby

... Egg and New York. There are many symbols that F. Scott Fitzgerald uses in "The Great Gatsby". The green light at the end of Daisy's dock, the giant eyes of T.J. Eckleberg, Owl Eyes, the drunk at Gatsby's parties, East and West Egg and the valley of ashes are all examples of some of these symbols. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolized Gatsby's longing for Daisy, who although is right across the lake, he cannot simply go over ... there and declare his love for her. Nick first sees Gatsby reaching ... ...

  • Word Count: 867
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

7. The 1920's in the United States and Canada

... decade and a compass for its people. Some symbols mentioned in The Great Gatsby and from the 1920's are the music, dances and fashion; these symbols have many meanings behind them that relate to the American dream. The major difference apparent in the countries, at the time is the influence and decline of USA's culture on Canada and itself. It is clear that the 1920's in the USA and Canada both share similarities and differences ... a cipher for its people. The music, dances and fashion are symbols identified in The Great Gatsby and from the twenties. These symbols have numerous meaning...

  • Word Count: 834
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

8. Great Gatsby - Illusion of the American Dream

... that Gatsby did not and could not fully change his fate. He couldn't live the American Dream. The eyes and the green light and the characters houses are all symbols that Fitzgerald uses to critique the American Dream in The Great Gatsby. But to what end? Why do people continue to believe in the Dream? Fitzgerald criticizes the notion of the American Dream with symbols to fill the reader's ... minds with doubt and realism. Fitzgerald wants the reader not to question if Gatsby has achieved the ... dream or not, but to understand that Nick was deeply affected by both Gatsby's romanticism a...

  • Word Count: 1195
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

9. Great Gatsby book report

... uses literary devices such as motifs and symbols. The motifs are used in geography as well as in the weather. Throughout the novel, places and settings symbolize the different aspects of the 1920s American society that Fitzgerald depicts. The weather in The Great Gatsby dependably matches the emotional and narrative tone of the story. Some symbols are the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Doctor T.J. Ekleburg. Nick Carraway: The novel's narrator, Nick Carraway comes from a wealthy ... reflects that the period of dreaming, both Gatsby's dream and the American dream is fin...

  • Word Count: 1619
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question