Just an Allusion
“Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal meanings…giving them an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant” (literarydevices.net). Symbols can be interpreted through everyday life and they often help one to completely understand the true meaning of a situation or the plot of a story, such as in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses symbolism to help the reader understand the main plot of the story as well as incorporating the symbols to intertwine with each other in order to get the point of the main theme across to the reader. One of the strongest symbols is the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg that watch over the …show more content…
The light is a reminder to Gatsby that his dream is so close yet so far away. It symbolizes Gatsby’s will and determination and also demonstrates the weakness it causes for him because his dream is a deception. First of all, the green light puts Gatsby in a vulnerable state because he knows that it is impossible for him to succeed in winning back Daisy. He is also aware that he needs to be with her back in order for his dream to be fulfilled. Nick first sees Gatsby when he is looking across the bay and describes the light to be “…[a] minute and far away” (24). This evidence proves that the light is a symbol of Gatsby’s dream being out of his reach and how it is impossible for him to accomplish because it is an impractical delusion. Unfortunately, Gatsby is not aware that there is no chance he will win Daisy’s affection again because she will never leave the lifestyle she is accustomed to living. Furthermore, the green light represents the allusion of the American Dream because it makes Gatsby believe in a deceptive goal. When Gatsby mentions the light to Daisy she immediately takes affection to him and it “…occur[s] to [him] that the colossal significance of that light…vanishe[s] forever. Now it once again was just a green light on a dock” (99). Although he believes that he can finally be with Daisy, the …show more content…
Scott. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the use of symbolism demonstrates that the American Dream is only an allusion and this is represented through the watchful eyes of Doctor. T. J. Eckleburg, the admirable green light and the valley of ashes. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg symbolize God making judgments on the mistakes that occur and how corrupt society is becoming. In addition, the green light is a representation of Gatsby’s desire of fulfilling his dream. Finally, the valley of ashes symbolizes the destruction of morals within society and how the lower class suffer because the wealthy take advantage of their vulnerability. The Great Gatsby is able to incorporate many symbols that help to achieve the author’s representation that the American Dream is simply a lie. Symbolism gives a better understanding of situations but they also can be interpreted in the wrong way which can lead to a misunderstanding of what is
“Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal meanings…giving them an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant” (literarydevices.net). Symbols can be interpreted through everyday life and they often help one to completely understand the true meaning of a situation or the plot of a story, such as in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses symbolism to help the reader understand the main plot of the story as well as incorporating the symbols to intertwine with each other in order to get the point of the main theme across to the reader. One of the strongest symbols is the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg that watch over the …show more content…
The light is a reminder to Gatsby that his dream is so close yet so far away. It symbolizes Gatsby’s will and determination and also demonstrates the weakness it causes for him because his dream is a deception. First of all, the green light puts Gatsby in a vulnerable state because he knows that it is impossible for him to succeed in winning back Daisy. He is also aware that he needs to be with her back in order for his dream to be fulfilled. Nick first sees Gatsby when he is looking across the bay and describes the light to be “…[a] minute and far away” (24). This evidence proves that the light is a symbol of Gatsby’s dream being out of his reach and how it is impossible for him to accomplish because it is an impractical delusion. Unfortunately, Gatsby is not aware that there is no chance he will win Daisy’s affection again because she will never leave the lifestyle she is accustomed to living. Furthermore, the green light represents the allusion of the American Dream because it makes Gatsby believe in a deceptive goal. When Gatsby mentions the light to Daisy she immediately takes affection to him and it “…occur[s] to [him] that the colossal significance of that light…vanishe[s] forever. Now it once again was just a green light on a dock” (99). Although he believes that he can finally be with Daisy, the …show more content…
Scott. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the use of symbolism demonstrates that the American Dream is only an allusion and this is represented through the watchful eyes of Doctor. T. J. Eckleburg, the admirable green light and the valley of ashes. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg symbolize God making judgments on the mistakes that occur and how corrupt society is becoming. In addition, the green light is a representation of Gatsby’s desire of fulfilling his dream. Finally, the valley of ashes symbolizes the destruction of morals within society and how the lower class suffer because the wealthy take advantage of their vulnerability. The Great Gatsby is able to incorporate many symbols that help to achieve the author’s representation that the American Dream is simply a lie. Symbolism gives a better understanding of situations but they also can be interpreted in the wrong way which can lead to a misunderstanding of what is