Symbolism on the Great Gatsby

In novels, the use of symbols makes the story interesting and essential to the readers. Symbols are messages that the author uses to communicate with the reader for a deeper understanding, although sometimes it can only be discovered if analyzed. Fitzgerald connects the different symbols throughout the novel to pinpoint an elaborate meaning towards the story yet it does indicate a pleasant meaning. A symbol such as “color” or “money” can be less complex than it seems. Whereas a symbol as complicated as the “eye” can mean more than it’s suggested for. Throughout The Great Gatsby symbolism represent color, the existence of eyes and money.

The color symbolism is repetitive throughout the novel. The colors represent the different characters personality and their actions. An important symbolic color in The Great Gatsby is the green light. The color green itself is associated with spring, money, hope and youth. The green light stands for something more substantial; it represents more than just hope for Daisy’s return, but also the hazy future. Nick stated that Gatsby believes in the green light, the “organic future”. Although the green light is the future, Gatsby is still wrapped up with the dreams of the past. White traditionally symbolizes purity and innocence, and there is no doubt that Fitzgerald wants to underscore the ironic disparity between the ostensible purity of Daisy and Jordan and their actual corruption. The emphasis of the color yellow is portrayed as decay and corruption. Gatsby’s car is the most important symbol in the novel. It became the main topic upon the town’s people after it killed myrtle and leaving an eye witness to specify the dullness throughout the novel is expressed trough the color gray. Wilson his de...

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