Its Symbolism The Great Gatsby example essay topic

Used to emphasize commentary, colors, particular objects, certain events, and specific locations are just a few of the many symbols used in The Great Gatsby (TGG). These symbolic structures are used in order to add depth and clarity to Fitzgerald's contextual society of new money versus old money. The automobile is an important habitual theme throughout The Great Gatsby. The more expensive the car the more the owner possess financially, as shown with Mr. James Gate, the protagonist of The Great Gatsby. His car is described, as " a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hatboxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of windshields that mirrored a hundred suns". (Fitzgerald, 68) By the way it is described Gatsby's car becomes the embodiment of prosperity.

The true reason for him buying the car is to communicate his materialistic success and newly found prosperity. Gatsby's car symbolically is used as a metaphor to describe the inane materialistic ideals of the 1920's. Although most cars, factory produced automobiles, were black, Gatsby's was customized. "Gatsby's specially-made car displays his wealth and delight in material possessions". (Hughes, symbolism page #1) This is the same vehicle that kills Myrtle and circuitously leads to the death of Gatsby himself. This proves the idea that a "dream based solely on materialistic items in the end will result in destruction".

(Hughes, Connections to TGG) Cars were also used to describe their owner's personalities. Nick drove a conservative Dodge, Gatsby drove his "rich cream-colored car... ". , and the Buchanan's "to rich for ostentation" (Cowley, 9-20) drove an easy going, blue coupe. Just like his car Nick proves to be the only character that thinks things through before acting upon them, he is somewhat secretive with his love life and tells no one out right of the time he spends with Ms. Baker, this shows the direct correlation of his Dodge and his conservative personality. Gatsby's rich cream-colored car proves his obsessive behavior with money.

Instead of buying a run of the mill 20th century, factory made black car Gatsby has his car customized, which shows the reliance and irresponsibility of the wealthy with money. The Buchanan's car is somewhat different; they possess an "easy-going" blue coupe. As shown throughout the book the Buchanan's are two easy-going people. Daisy knowing that Tom has a mistress does not over react she instead is tolerant of it. This proves there laid back attitudes toward each other and their own personal lives.

Revered for its symbolism The Great Gatsby allows the reader a chance to better understand Fitzgerald's thought process through the use of colors. Used numerous times in the novel the color green was used to "project Gatsby's wishes of hope" (Burn am, 7-12) and to allow the reader to themselves envision his dreams. Green, a mixture of blue (hope) and yellow (wealth), is used as a representation of what Gatsby had to strive for, his goals. There was a green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which symbolized his goal, and in order to reach that goal he knew he had to possess wealth. This is why their relationship would always be affected by money and in the end would never grow into anything more. Green is also associated with a new beginning with the incoming of spring.

Nick even relates Gatsby's dreams to the American dream, "a green breast of new land" (Fitzgerald, 189) where in the end all could come and start afresh. Blue is another recurring color used by Fitzgerald in TGG. This color represents hope; it allowed the reader to add elements of supremacy to the story. This is shown with the billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckel burg and his "floating" eyes, which are said to be the eyes of God looking down upon the earth with revulsion. Those staring vacant eyes are situated above the ash heap, which are the same blue eyes the George Wilson mutters, "You may fool me but you can't fool God". (Fitzgerald, 167) At one point Gatsby's garden is described as a dull shade of blue, this same garden which people use to escape from their ordinary lives in search of hope in order to escape reality.

This is has a direct relation to Gatsby, for he too was trying to escape from his own reality of his criminal lifestyle, "for he had come a long way to this blue lawn" (Fitzgerald, 189) his blue lawn of optimism and promise. Located between the East Egg and the West Egg, the Valley of Ashes proves to symbolize the putrefaction of morale, and optimism. All characters in TGG, except Myrtle Wilson, are part of the East or West Egg. The Valley of Ashes-"a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air". (Fitzgerald, 27) Used repeatedly the color grey symbolizes particular aspects of the Valley. It is here that Tom's lived.

This location symbolizes the significance, and depth that Fitzgerald provides when giving the land the image of a barren wasteland. "A wasteland full of ashes" (Douard, 120), these ashes provide for a desolate dissimilarity to the parties thrown by Gatsby himself. Although seeming unimportant at first with close scrutiny one can formulate the importance of Nick's 30th birthday. Suddenly, in the midst of Daisy and Tom's argument Nick realizes that he has turned 30 .".. I just remembered that today is my birthday" (Fitzgerald, 142).

This age change represents the passage of one from youth to adulthood. This is the same realization that allows to reader to recognize Gatsby's loss, the loss of his youthful dream of one day reuniting with Daisy. Placing emphasizes on the symbolic colors, objects, events, and locations allowed Fitzgerald to broaden the horizon of his readers. Although, complex and somewhat confusing these small details are what shape The Great Gatsby into what it is today, an entertaining novel full of intrigue, and symbolism.

Bibliography

Fitzgerald, Francis Scott The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1925.