Symbols, Symbolism, and Metaphor in The Great Gatsby

Metaphors and Symbolisms in The Great Gatsby

In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses many different

metaphors and symbolisms to express his point. In this essay the point that

I wish to make is how Fitzgerald uses colors to develop image, feelings, and

scenery depiction to let the reader feel the emotions and other aspects being

portrayed in that particular part in the book. Like every other essay one

must address the major points that will be addressed. This essay suggests

the hopefulness of Nick's venture in the East and of Gatsby's dream to win

Daisy. Fitzgerald uses the colors of white and green as suggestions of

future promise. As the novel unfolds and the uselessness of the dream is

developed, the colors become garish shades such as gold, silver, and pink.

White and green are shown throughout the beginning of the novel, first,

through green and white luminous light. Daisy is constantly shown in white.

When Nick first sees his cousin (Daisy), she is wearing a white dress. In my

mind, white depicts virginity, innocence, honesty, wealth, and the appearance

of cleanliness. Later on I will discuss how this image of Daisy is false.

She is extremely corrupt, and all her actions are based on self-gratitude.

Green is also portrayed in the earlier parts of this novel. It is a symbol

of hope. This probably is referring to Gatsby's second chance at romance

with Daisy, and his dream with America being able to make all your dreams

come true. Gatsby believes that there is hope for his future relationship

with Daisy. We view his r...

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with silver, as if to say that it was done in a bad way.

The last color portrayed heavily when discussing the character of Gatsby

is pink. Pink is a sign of embarrassment. When Gatsby states that Daisy

never loved Tom, she has always been in love with him, he was shocked to hear

from her own mouth that she loved both of them. This placed Gatsby in a very

uncomfortable situation and this event finally brought him over the edge.

Over the course of this novel we saw how the plot slowly changes from the

rich and exquisite life of the wealthy, to the stubborn, arrogant, and

selfish values that each of these characters possessed, especially Gatsby.

Corruption reigned so high in their society; it was viewed as something to be

of usual nature.