Symbolism in The Great Gatsby serves as a connection of the novel to the struggling decade at the time. The Roaring Twenties was plagued with a handful of economic issues and the struggle to obtain the American Dream. Described by Taylor Hales, “Considering the context in which organized crime grew - namely the setting of Chicago, its government system, layout, difficulty of attaining a decent job, hard times of The Depression, and Prohibition - it almost seems inevitable for this growth to have occurred.” The American Dream in reality was nearly impossible due to the poor city infrastructure, struggling job market, and political tensions. Described by Jacob Black “The beginning of bootlegging A tidal wave of organized crime would sweep across
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Gatsby does not hesitate to describe his passion to recapture Daisy’s love “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.’ Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said” (Fitzgerald 93). Gatsby longs for a life where he and Daisy are together. The green light serves as a symbol for this desire. Illustrated best by Rebecca Strong in her review on The Great Gatsby, the green light holds a symbol of two very dear things to Gatsby: Daisy and the act of breathing new life into their old love. Gatsby quickly loses hope initially, however, to Nick the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hope (Strong). The green light to Gatsby holds much more value than simply obtaining Daisy, but also the old love for …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald uses the Valley of Ashes to help depict the leftover waste of the Roaring Twenties. As Gatsby and Nick take a drive into New York, Nick has a handful of observations “We passed Port Roosevelt, where there was a glimpse of red-belted ocean-going ships, and sped along a cobbled slum lined with the dark, undeserted saloons of the faded-gilt nineteen hundreds, Then the valley of ashes opened out on both sides of us, and I had a glimpse of Mrs. Wilson straining at the garage pump with panting vitality as we went by (Fitzgerald 68). The Valley is merely a pass through area for the wealthier and it is made clear that due to a lack of economic opportunity in the dreary area, there is nothing for those living the life of lavish parties and wealth. Illustrated by Robert Evans in his analysis on the novel, The Valley of Ashes holds the very essence that results from a booming economy; bustling transportation, advancement for life as a whole, and a consumer based economy. Offering the symbol of the industrustral lifelessness of the Roaring Twenties, it was a precise representation of the small town American life that simply no longer existed (Evans). The Valley of Ashes was made clear to serve no importance to the wealthy, only a tool exhausted in order for the upperclass to exploit their
Gatsby does not hesitate to describe his passion to recapture Daisy’s love “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.’ Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said” (Fitzgerald 93). Gatsby longs for a life where he and Daisy are together. The green light serves as a symbol for this desire. Illustrated best by Rebecca Strong in her review on The Great Gatsby, the green light holds a symbol of two very dear things to Gatsby: Daisy and the act of breathing new life into their old love. Gatsby quickly loses hope initially, however, to Nick the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hope (Strong). The green light to Gatsby holds much more value than simply obtaining Daisy, but also the old love for …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald uses the Valley of Ashes to help depict the leftover waste of the Roaring Twenties. As Gatsby and Nick take a drive into New York, Nick has a handful of observations “We passed Port Roosevelt, where there was a glimpse of red-belted ocean-going ships, and sped along a cobbled slum lined with the dark, undeserted saloons of the faded-gilt nineteen hundreds, Then the valley of ashes opened out on both sides of us, and I had a glimpse of Mrs. Wilson straining at the garage pump with panting vitality as we went by (Fitzgerald 68). The Valley is merely a pass through area for the wealthier and it is made clear that due to a lack of economic opportunity in the dreary area, there is nothing for those living the life of lavish parties and wealth. Illustrated by Robert Evans in his analysis on the novel, The Valley of Ashes holds the very essence that results from a booming economy; bustling transportation, advancement for life as a whole, and a consumer based economy. Offering the symbol of the industrustral lifelessness of the Roaring Twenties, it was a precise representation of the small town American life that simply no longer existed (Evans). The Valley of Ashes was made clear to serve no importance to the wealthy, only a tool exhausted in order for the upperclass to exploit their