What Does The Duke Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

A symbol is an object, event, or person that represents an idea or set of ideas. Symbols can be located in various places, such as schools and novels. Mascots are generally symbols of high schools, for instance, Cumberland High School is represented by a duke. In the literary work, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are a vast array of metaphorical symbols. The duke and the countless symbols in the American classic novel are all influential since depth and significance can be enhanced.
The mascot of Cumberland County High School is known as a duke. A duke is traditionally a male ruler of an independent country. However, for Cumberland High School it is meant to symbolize the pride taken within the school and the level of talent comprised within the facility.

When students and faculty observe a Cumberland duke emblem, they feel proud; each of them and previous graduates of CHS make up the identity of the Dukes.

A duke is symbolic of pride, since many rulers tend to pompous. The word duke is synonymous for king, which is the highest ruling level. Therefore, the Cumberland Duke represents the talent level of those within exceeding the comparable levels. The duke mascot of Cumberland High School truly represents a majority the students and employees, while encouraging the rest.
In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald incorporates a multitude of symbols. The most important are the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, the green light, parties, the Valley of the Ashes, and money. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are described as, “The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose” (23). These represent society as this time, it was incredibly

judgmental and condemnatory of more modern individuals such as Gatsby. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock serves as hope for Gatsby, he views the light as his future with Daisy. Gatsby sees his future with her much like the light, barely visible, but still shining. The parties thrown by Jay Gatsby are immaculate and festive, Nick describes the excesses in chapter three, “At least once a fortnight corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby’s enormous garden. On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold” (40). The parties signify a museum-like environment, Gatsby’s modernistic lifestyle is put in display for others to learn about, observe, and judge. The Valley of the Ashes is a barren area separating East Egg from West Egg, this exemplifies a dumping area of ideals that were disregarded by the wealthy at this time period, such as morals. Finally, the money present throughout the novel represents corruption. Every individual that was immoral (Tom, Daisy, Gatsby) all were wealthy. The symbols evident through the novel add depth to overall plot since they can be interpreted in many ways.
The representation of Cumberland High School and the time in The Great Gatsby allow the reader to incorporate their own opinion. The symbolism in the novel heightens the complexity and the meaning. Fitzgerald implementing symbolism also increases the audiences’ interest since the representations can be interpreted many ways.