What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, symbolism can be recognized at almost any point in the novel. It takes the story to another level, giving a second set of meanings to the characters, their houses, and any other surrounding environments. Fitzgerald uses this technique to connect the book back to his own life. His experiences and emotions can be seen through those of the main character’s, Jay Gatsby. It is no secret that he wanted the readers to be able to understand how he felt about certain situations he went through. The valley of ashes, the green light, and even his own name play an important role in the abstract side to this novel.

Jay Gatsby was not always such a rich man who threw flashy parties every Saturday night. He started

out in poverty in North Dakota and was able to build himself up from there. Whether his techniques were morally right is a whole different question, however, this does not seem like a big deal because everyone’s only concern is money. He changed his own name from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby to represent starting over. On page 104, it says, “It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a rowboat, pulled out to the Tuolomee, and informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour.” The names he uses to identify himself with symbolize two contrasting personas. The first one being a poor man who no woman will ever love, and the second one being someone who lives in a mansion with a personal swimming pool. Jay Gatsby is just who James wants to be. It is the image he created of who he wishes he was so that him and Daisy could live happily ever after. It could also be considered that Jay represents the American dream as a whole. He has the perfect house, the perfect car, and now all he needs is the perfect girl.
All Gatsby needed to do to fulfill this dream was to reach that green light.

That is, the one at Daisy’s dock visible from his house. In the first chapter, the narrator explains, “...he stretched his arms out toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling” (25-26). In this scene, it looks as if he is physically trying to grasp it in his hands. This makes it very obvious from the beginning that he desperately wants something he just cannot have. He was not trembling in fear, but only in an overwhelming desire that has taken over his every move. He would not be living this extravagant lifestyle if it was not for what is on the other side of the green light. This theme is present throughout the novel in that Gatsby never seems satisfied. He has so much and still longs for something more. It is a daily reminder and is what pushes him to keep trying harder to become the perfect man for Daisy. The fact that the light is green also represents a number of things. Firstly, it simply means “go.” It is a motivator to go get whatever is wanted from life and do not stop. Secondly, it can stand for jealousy. Gatsby could be jealous of Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, because Tom has what Jay wants. Jay earned everything he owns and it is not enough, yet all Tom had to do was be born. Every decision Gatsby made was based on that faint yet incredibly influential

light.
While Jay Gatsby continued to thrive for all the finer things in life, he did not realize what he was doing to the rest of the population. Though this particular concept is not specifically mentioned in the novel, the valley of ashes illustrates the poor. It is what they are left with after the rich take every last thing they want. On page 28, when describing the valley and the trains there, it says, “There is always a halt there of at least a minute and it was because of this that I first met Tom Buchanan’s mistress.” Considering Tom’s cold personality, the reader knows nothing good can come out of this. Anything associated with this man is bound to have an unhappy ending, leading to how the valley of ashes also symbolizes how corrupt the American dream is. This dream took over the life of a man who had the potential to make more of himself than to slave to a woman who basically cheated on him. This dream is only relevant for a certain percent of America, while the majority’s reality are just these ashes.
The hidden meanings behind things as simple as a name, a green light, or the valley of ashes are essential to understanding the message in The Great Gatsby. It is more than two men fighting over a woman. It is about the poor and the rich, the American dream, and the flaws in human nature when it comes to achieving a higher social status. If everyone acted the way Jay and Tom did, the world itself could become a valley of ashes from all of the moral corruption. The name change and green light give a more positive outlook, saying that it is possible to come out of everything there will always be a sign of hope. Fitzgerald was able to portray those events that occurred in his lifetime within this book.