In literature authors use symbolism to add or represent meaning that goes beyond what is actually being said. Within the significance of the author’s word choice readers get a better insight on the symbolism in the novel. In The Great Gatsby, a novel, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is all about the roaring twenties and their American Dream. The main character, Jay Gatsby, is willing to do what it takes to be a part of old money and relive the past with his love, Daisy Buchanan. Along the way we learn about the lives of the “old money” characters such as Tom Buchanan and Jordan Baker and the poor unfortunate characters such as Myrtle and George Wilson. Nick Carraway, the narrator, watches as corruption between many of the characters goes on. In The
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Scott Fitzgerald shows a variety of symbolism within the contrasting of colors. The author uses the color green to symbolize hope, success, money, value, and the envy characters have for one another. Throughout the book, green is used between many different characters. After Nick Carraway, the narrator, saw Gatsby looking into the Long Island Sound he stated "I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock" (Fitzgerald 25). At the end of the Buchanan’s dock, there was a green light that Gatsby could see from his house that symbolized his hope for being with Daisy and reliving the past. Despite what Gatsby believes “…green, the light summons Gatsby and his fellow Americans to Go Ahead – to run faster, stretch out our arms farther….” Yet the covert symbolism of the light should by this time be clear; green as the mixture of yellow and blue, is once again the tragic commingling of dream and reality (Schneider). The green light is the go signal to his destruction. When Fitzgerald describes Gatsby’s house he states "A factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn" ( Fitzgerald 5). Therefore, “raw ivy” is a shade of green that symbolizes a vision for Gatsby’s wealth in the future as he tries to rise in social status by purchasing a …show more content…
As the author introduces the characters Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, from the “old money” society, he describes them sitting on a large couch with white dresses billowing in the breeze (Fitzgerald 12). Here, we see our two female “old money” characters to project an image of purity. The color white is not only shown off by Daisy and Jordan, but Tom as well. Throughout the book, Daisy and Jordan strive to become pure by involving themselves with the color white. To the characters in The Great Gatsby, wearing the color white is to be “an absolute little dream” (Schneider). When Jordan was out with Nick and Gatsby, she began to talk about Daisy and Tom’s wedding. Jordan stated “… the day before the wedding he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars” (Fitzgerald 76). Toms buying of the white pearls indicates his desire to show himself as pure and his belief that Daisy is pure (Schneider). At the Buchanan’s when Pam, Daisy and Tom’s daughter, is introduced she is symbolized as true pure innocence. While Pam is in her white dress, she stated “Aunt Jordan’s got on a white dress too” (Fitzgerald 117). Both Pam and Jordan are wearing a white dress, but the difference between the two dresses is who is wearing them. Pam, who is a young child, is pure and symbolizes a true innocence, but as she grows up under Tom and
Scott Fitzgerald shows a variety of symbolism within the contrasting of colors. The author uses the color green to symbolize hope, success, money, value, and the envy characters have for one another. Throughout the book, green is used between many different characters. After Nick Carraway, the narrator, saw Gatsby looking into the Long Island Sound he stated "I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock" (Fitzgerald 25). At the end of the Buchanan’s dock, there was a green light that Gatsby could see from his house that symbolized his hope for being with Daisy and reliving the past. Despite what Gatsby believes “…green, the light summons Gatsby and his fellow Americans to Go Ahead – to run faster, stretch out our arms farther….” Yet the covert symbolism of the light should by this time be clear; green as the mixture of yellow and blue, is once again the tragic commingling of dream and reality (Schneider). The green light is the go signal to his destruction. When Fitzgerald describes Gatsby’s house he states "A factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn" ( Fitzgerald 5). Therefore, “raw ivy” is a shade of green that symbolizes a vision for Gatsby’s wealth in the future as he tries to rise in social status by purchasing a …show more content…
As the author introduces the characters Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, from the “old money” society, he describes them sitting on a large couch with white dresses billowing in the breeze (Fitzgerald 12). Here, we see our two female “old money” characters to project an image of purity. The color white is not only shown off by Daisy and Jordan, but Tom as well. Throughout the book, Daisy and Jordan strive to become pure by involving themselves with the color white. To the characters in The Great Gatsby, wearing the color white is to be “an absolute little dream” (Schneider). When Jordan was out with Nick and Gatsby, she began to talk about Daisy and Tom’s wedding. Jordan stated “… the day before the wedding he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars” (Fitzgerald 76). Toms buying of the white pearls indicates his desire to show himself as pure and his belief that Daisy is pure (Schneider). At the Buchanan’s when Pam, Daisy and Tom’s daughter, is introduced she is symbolized as true pure innocence. While Pam is in her white dress, she stated “Aunt Jordan’s got on a white dress too” (Fitzgerald 117). Both Pam and Jordan are wearing a white dress, but the difference between the two dresses is who is wearing them. Pam, who is a young child, is pure and symbolizes a true innocence, but as she grows up under Tom and