The American Dream In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are different symbols that all tie in to a message about the American Dream. During the rolling 20’s, everyone wants to achieve this American Dream; however, people couldn’t picture the reality. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald puts the American Dream in perspective when mentioning symbols such as, the valley of ashes, love in the 20’s, Gatsby’s anonymous parties, the green light from the light house that shined across the sound, and the billboard advertising T.J Eckleburg. Thus, Fitzgerald displays the concept of the American Dream, to be dead. First, one of the symbols that Fitzgerald mentions is the Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes is viewed as the remains
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Gatsby associates with this color so much because of the desire for his past lover, Daisy. According to the article, “Uses of symbols and colors in the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.” By Maia Samkanashvili, Samkanashvili lists the different symbolic meanings for each color. Green happens to be the symbol for “Hope” (Samkanashvili par. 3). Hope is the most connected with the American Dream, because the American Dream consists of nothing but hope. Hope can be illustrated when Nick explains his encounter with Gatsby, “..stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling” (Fitzgerald 18). The green light represents materialistic desire, and is a big symbol for Gatsby as he desires Daisy. According to the article, “Symbols in The Great Gatsby” by Fredrick C. Millett, Millet explains the green light symbolizes future promise (Millett par. 5), and the green light also represents “minute and far away,” making the dream seem close but not within reach. Nick explains Gatsby’s desire with a “trembling” desperation because Daisy is his only key to “completing” his American …show more content…
It means something different to everyone, especially in the 20’s where immigration is at its peak with people from all over the world looking to find a better life to achieve success; however, when they settle in America, soon the people will realize the reality of false hope including the corruption of the people ranging from women who marry men for their money to survive, to ending up in the “Valley of Ashes.” Not to mention, people who attend Gatsby’s parties to feel as though they have the “American Dream” can be seen as an Illusion or an unreal fantasy, a concept in which only relies on a perfect life, but really needs to be happiness. Fitzgerald doesn’t warn the reader about the American Dream but really puts things into perspective as something that could exist but wouldn’t satisfy anyone in the long
Gatsby associates with this color so much because of the desire for his past lover, Daisy. According to the article, “Uses of symbols and colors in the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.” By Maia Samkanashvili, Samkanashvili lists the different symbolic meanings for each color. Green happens to be the symbol for “Hope” (Samkanashvili par. 3). Hope is the most connected with the American Dream, because the American Dream consists of nothing but hope. Hope can be illustrated when Nick explains his encounter with Gatsby, “..stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling” (Fitzgerald 18). The green light represents materialistic desire, and is a big symbol for Gatsby as he desires Daisy. According to the article, “Symbols in The Great Gatsby” by Fredrick C. Millett, Millet explains the green light symbolizes future promise (Millett par. 5), and the green light also represents “minute and far away,” making the dream seem close but not within reach. Nick explains Gatsby’s desire with a “trembling” desperation because Daisy is his only key to “completing” his American …show more content…
It means something different to everyone, especially in the 20’s where immigration is at its peak with people from all over the world looking to find a better life to achieve success; however, when they settle in America, soon the people will realize the reality of false hope including the corruption of the people ranging from women who marry men for their money to survive, to ending up in the “Valley of Ashes.” Not to mention, people who attend Gatsby’s parties to feel as though they have the “American Dream” can be seen as an Illusion or an unreal fantasy, a concept in which only relies on a perfect life, but really needs to be happiness. Fitzgerald doesn’t warn the reader about the American Dream but really puts things into perspective as something that could exist but wouldn’t satisfy anyone in the long