In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbols to depict the corruption and decadence of the era. The main symbols in the novel are the green light, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, the Valley of Ashes, and the sterile, lifeless quality of the East Egg.
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's hopeless love for Daisy and his desperate attempt to win her back. It also symbolizes the American Dream, as Gatsby's pursuit of the green light mirrors the pursuit of success and happiness. However, the green light is ultimately unattainable, as Gatsby's love for Daisy is unrequited and the American Dream is corrupted by the selfish and immoral actions of those who seek it.
The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, which are depicted on a faded advertising billboard in the Valley of Ashes, symbolize the loss of moral values in the post-World War I era. The eyes are described as "blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high," and they seem to watch over the characters as they engage in their immoral behavior. The billboard is situated between West Egg and New York City, suggesting that the eyes symbolize a sort of divine judgment on the characters' actions.
The Valley of Ashes, a desolate, industrial area between West Egg and New York City, symbolizes the moral and spiritual decay of the characters. The valley is described as "a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens," suggesting that the characters' corruption has led to a sort of moral wasteland.
The sterile, lifeless quality of the East Egg, where the wealthy and established characters reside, also symbolizes the moral decay of the era. The characters who live in East Egg, such as Tom and Daisy, are described as "careless people" who are indifferent to the suffering of others and only concerned with their own pleasure and status.
Overall, the symbols in "The Great Gatsby" depict the corruption and decadence of the post-World War I era and the characters' moral decline. Through these symbols, Fitzgerald suggests that the pursuit of wealth and success can lead to a hollow, meaningless existence.
Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Green Light & Other Symbols
When does it falsify a sense of innocence? People of the most impoverished class live here. As the conflicts in the story get more complex and tangled, the temperature is rising. In chapter 7, golden tea is served at the grey tea hour, which indicates the turning light. On several occasions, Gatsby is seen sitting at his dock, staring at that light as if it is something he could just almost reach. All of the characters are symbolic of different classes in American Society, from the richest to the poorest. Is Colorbond fencing cheaper than timber? Eckelburg 's eyes to symbolize a godlike being. The reckless jubilance that led to decadent parties and wild jazz music—epitomized in The Great Gatsby by the opulent parties that Gatsby throws every Saturday night—resulted ultimately in the corruption of the American dream, as the unrestrained desire for money and pleasure surpassed more noble goals.
Symbolism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
He got a real job, changed his name to the more fashionable Jay Gatsby, and made millions. Much like Gatsby, Americans still today work their entire lives to achieve their idea of the American dream, only for some to meet an untimely end before reaching this dream. All the colours have been inspired by the colours of Australia. Symbol 5 East and West Eggs East and West Eggs are two fictional villages Fitzgerald has created to represent the different ideas of the new rich and the old rich. It represents the people, who are born rich and are considered classy, with an arrogant stance toward West Egg. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and lose their vitality as a result.
Gatsby's Mansion Symbol in The Great Gatsby
The tragic story of love, greed, and secrets exploits the toxic lifestyle of Gatsby, Daisy, and others in both West and East Egg. In this resource, you will get a Powerpoint lesson that is 58 slides, filled with information, quotes, examples, and photos to help your students analyze the important symbols and colors in the novel. Fitzgerald uses the symbol of the two women in yellow at Gatsby 's party to represent the values of the 1920 's. Nick goes there to search for his mistress. What Do West and East Egg Symbolize? Green is one of the colors in that conveys symbolic meaning. For example, at the end of the novel, green color symbolism is used to depict the limitless promises of an unachievable dream that the main character, Gatsby, pursues until the very end.
