Visual Symbolism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

The 1974 film, The Great Gatsby, is the visual interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s popular novel. Throughout the film, we see the personification of objects. The first being the all-seeing eyes of Doctor T.J. Eclekburg, that look out over the Valley of Ashes. Mr. Wilson seems to compare the eyes to God, describing them as almost omnipresent and omnipotent. The eyes may also personify the death of the American dream, since they overlook the desolation and destruction created by the upper class. Daisy’s unattainable love can be symbolized by the blinking green light on her dock that can be seen from Gatsby’s window. Gatsby reaches out for the green light, almost as if he is trying to reach out and hold on to Daisy’s love. The dead bird that

The argument between Tom and Daisy made me cringe, the book was unable to elicit that same emotion. The film was able to portray the magnitude of their altercation and how it quickly escalated to violence. Myrtle, with blood dripping down her face, then proceeded to accept Tom’s embrace, instantly forgiving him. This scene symbolizes the line between the upper and middle class and the consequences associated with crossing that invisible boundary. Gatsby’s death and funeral were hard to watch. Towards the end of the film, we witness Nick’s meeting with Jordan. When she brings up his cousin, he says “They are careless people, Tom and Daisy. They smash things up and they retreat back in their money and vast carelessness,” “leaving other people to clean up their mess.” After hearing this, my mind instantly recalled a scene much earlier in the film and I now understood why it stood out to me. It was after one of Gatsby’s large and lavish parties and he and Nick were walking around after everyone had left. We then see the house deserted and all the mess and trash left behind by the numerous party goers. I think Nick’s quote perfectly describes what is going on in this scene and how it foreshadows what is to come in two ways. First, I believe it signifies Gatsby’s death and funeral. After he was killed, the party goers quickly forgot about him, “retreated