What Does Yellow Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Colors have different meanings to different people. Some colors remind people of events that have happened, while others remind people of different seasons or places that they have been. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the author uses color symbolism in a creative and juxtaposed way that allows him to emphasize different themes. The main character, Jay Gatsby, wants to marry his long lost love, Daisy; however, she has married another man named Tom, who comes from “old money”. Gatsby tries to win her back by throwing extravagant parties and showing her that he has enough money to take care of her. In an unfortunate set of events, Daisy kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress. Gatsby, in the end, is blamed for the accident. This false accusation leads to Gatsby 's murder. Throughout the novel color symbolism plays an …show more content…
As the narrator describes Gatsby’s parties, everything surrounding the party is yellow and gold, “Turkeys bewitched to a dark gold” (Fitzgerald 40), “The orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music” (Fitzgerald40), Gatsby’s car is described as “a brisk yellow bug” (Fitzgerald 39). It is clear that Gatsby is surrounding himself with yellow. Upon examination it is revealed that yellow is a symbol of money. Gatsby surrounds himself with money to impress Daisy, who only truly cares about herself. Gatsby wants to show Daisy that he has the assets she would want from a husband. It is written that, "Gatsby chooses the yellow color to decorate himself and his house to show that he has been a member of the rich folk"(Haibing 5). The color yellow plays an essential part in the acquiring of Daisy for Gatsby. Money and the difference between old and new money is a major theme in this novel. Daisy is old money and doesn’t really care about others as long as she has her money intact. Gatsby is trying to look like someone from "old money" to show Daisy that she can marry him and be

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