Symbolism can be found in almost every type of literature. Authors use the technique to draw the reader to hidden themes and cause the reader to analyze while reading. F. Scott Fitzgerald is well known for incorporating multiple complex symbols to pave the way to his fundamental themes. Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism in The Great Gatsby alludes to the overall theme that the American Dream in the 1920’s was unattainable and corrupt throughout the novel. The symbol of the green light in The Great Gatsby is a reoccurring one, at first symbolizing Gatsby’s American dream of Daisy. However, at the end of the novel the meaning of the symbol takes on a new broader meaning, symbolizing the unattainable American dream applying to everyone. When Nick
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The detail of the weather not only coincides with the tone of the writing, but also symbolizes the struggles in chasing the American dream. At one point in the novel Gatsby is trying so hard to reach his dream, and so many obstacles are getting in his way that Nick begins to help fight his battle to reach Daisy, “Aware of the loud beating of my own heart I pulled the door against the increasing rain.” (Fitzgerald 86) Nick is trying to help Gatsby when they encounter Tom in New York, as the rain becomes harder Gatsby becomes more uncomfortable and further from his Dream because Tom and the storm get in his way. The weather is a symbol is a complex and hard to pick up symbol for Gatsby’s obstacles in getting to his American dream. At the end of the novel when Gatsby’s dream is dead and he has lost all hold on it the weather changes drastically. “The night had made a sharp difference in the weather and there was an autumn flavor in the air.” (Fitzgerald 153) The day before was the hottest of the summer, Gatsby was the closest he had ever been to finally living his dream. However, the heat gets in the way of his path and causes a fit of rage. The struggle through the heat and argument with Tom causes Gatsby to ultimately lose all grasp on Daisy, and the next day when the dream has vanished the weather is clear and the …show more content…
When Nick is first taken through The Valley of Ashes to get to town he describes it in great detail, “This is a 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 23) This quote is describing how the world at the time was turning into ash due to the industrial revolution, but also the blind eye the rich show to where their wealth is coming from. The quote demonstrates the overall theme through the symbol of The Valley of Ashes because the valley was what the wealthy ignored when gaining their riches. The people in The Valley of Ashes were unable to attain the American dream. This symbol also applying the people in the Valley, “Wilson's glazed eyes turned out to the ash heaps, where small grey clouds took on fantastic shape and scurried here and there in the faint dawn wind.” (Fitzgerald 101) The people of The Valley of Ashes were also a strong symbol alluding to the corrupt American dream, Wilson’s entire life was turning into the ash distributed by the carelessness of the rich. The theme that the American dream was unattainable in the 1920’s can be most seen through the
The detail of the weather not only coincides with the tone of the writing, but also symbolizes the struggles in chasing the American dream. At one point in the novel Gatsby is trying so hard to reach his dream, and so many obstacles are getting in his way that Nick begins to help fight his battle to reach Daisy, “Aware of the loud beating of my own heart I pulled the door against the increasing rain.” (Fitzgerald 86) Nick is trying to help Gatsby when they encounter Tom in New York, as the rain becomes harder Gatsby becomes more uncomfortable and further from his Dream because Tom and the storm get in his way. The weather is a symbol is a complex and hard to pick up symbol for Gatsby’s obstacles in getting to his American dream. At the end of the novel when Gatsby’s dream is dead and he has lost all hold on it the weather changes drastically. “The night had made a sharp difference in the weather and there was an autumn flavor in the air.” (Fitzgerald 153) The day before was the hottest of the summer, Gatsby was the closest he had ever been to finally living his dream. However, the heat gets in the way of his path and causes a fit of rage. The struggle through the heat and argument with Tom causes Gatsby to ultimately lose all grasp on Daisy, and the next day when the dream has vanished the weather is clear and the …show more content…
When Nick is first taken through The Valley of Ashes to get to town he describes it in great detail, “This is a 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 23) This quote is describing how the world at the time was turning into ash due to the industrial revolution, but also the blind eye the rich show to where their wealth is coming from. The quote demonstrates the overall theme through the symbol of The Valley of Ashes because the valley was what the wealthy ignored when gaining their riches. The people in The Valley of Ashes were unable to attain the American dream. This symbol also applying the people in the Valley, “Wilson's glazed eyes turned out to the ash heaps, where small grey clouds took on fantastic shape and scurried here and there in the faint dawn wind.” (Fitzgerald 101) The people of The Valley of Ashes were also a strong symbol alluding to the corrupt American dream, Wilson’s entire life was turning into the ash distributed by the carelessness of the rich. The theme that the American dream was unattainable in the 1920’s can be most seen through the