symbolism of the green light in the great gatsby essays

Finally, as Gatsby's dream is dashed, the green light stops being something that is his alone, and instead takes on a universal quality . Now it stands for the unreachable dream that lives inside all people. For Nick, life is a constant struggle between our past mistakes, experiences, and sense of reality, which pull us back and weigh us down, and the green light of unrealistic hope that drives us to think we will do better and achieve more the next day.

The green light ends up standing for this dream of an "orgastic future" —that's right, that means a future lived at the height of orgasm—which is constantly getting farther and farther away, and that we keep trying to grab for, despite the impossibility of reaching it.

Characters, Themes, Motifs, and Symbols Connected to the Green Light

Jay Gatsby . Gatsby is most closely associated with the green light. He is the one who obsessively stares at this light at the end of Daisy's dock, dreaming of reuniting with her. He is the one who reaches his hands towards it, showing us that it is a symbolic representation of his dreams that are always just out of reach. And he is the one whose belief in the green light and its promise of a future of perfect happiness so profoundly affects Nick that Nick ends up admiring Gatsby.

Daisy Buchanan . The green light is located at the end of Daisy's dock, and is Gatsby's only physical sign of her before he meets her at Nick's house. For a long time, the green light, Gatsby's ambitious hopes, and Daisy are all symbolically one and the same. Only when Daisy has an affair with Gatsby, showing that she is a flesh and blood person with her own desires, fears, and flaws, does she separate from this idealized symbol of hope.

Nick Carraway . Nick is the one who realizes the significance of the green light for Gatsby when he sees Gatsby stretching his arms out towards it. He is also the one who connects the green light with everyone's hopes and dreams at the very end of the book.

Society and Class. For Gatsby, just as Daisy is visible through the green light, but in reality out of reach, so is the old money contingent of wealthy Long Island society. No matter how high Gatsby rises and how rich he gets, he still can't break through that final barrier—and he can never quite grasp the green light.

The American Dream . The green light comes to represent not just Gatsby's dream, but the aspirational American Dream that the novel shows in both its positive and negative aspects. Like this national myth, the green light is forever just out of reach, but also forever motivating feats of improbable achievement.

Symbol : Colors. That the light is green is very significant in a novel that is methodically color-coded. Somewhat in opposition to its culturally positive associations, in The Great Gatsby, green tends to be a sign of either hopeful rebirth, or sickness, greed, and death.

Essay Ideas and Tips for Writing About the Green Light

Now that we've explored the layers of meanings behind the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, you're in a good place to think about how to write about this symbol.

How to Write an Essay About the Green Light

Here are some tips on how to write an essay about the role of a symbol in a novel:

• Build from the text out. In this article, I first looked at the green light in context and discussed its meaning in the exact places where it appears, and only afterward wrote about its general significance in the novel. The same basic rule of thumb is good to keep in mind for your own essay. Work from small ideas to big ones, and your argument will be well supported.
• Make an argument. It's not enough to just describe the symbol and explain its possible meanings. Instead, you have to make sure that you're making some kind of point about why/how the symbol works. How do you know if you're making an argument and not just saying the obvious? If you can imagine someone arguing the opposite of what you're saying, then you've got an argument on your hands.
• Don't overthink it. Sure, the green light can be said to represent lots of things: Gatsby's dreams, Daisy, or the quest to grab the elusive brass ring. But that doesn't mean that it also stands for world peace, environmental degradation, or Nick's pining for his war days. In other words, watch out for stretching your symbol analysis too far from what the text is telling you.

Essay Topic Ideas on the Green Light

Here are some possible essay arguments. You can build from them as-is, argue their opposite, or use them as jumping-off points for your own interpretation.

The green light is a kind of affiliation test for Gatsby. Those who imbue it with meaning like he does (like Nick) end up sympathizing with Gatsby; those who only see it as an object (like Daisy and Tom) are doomed to dismiss Gatsby also.

Gatsby's downfall starts at the moment when he stops seeing the green light as a symbol for his dreams and goals.

Ultimately, the green light means far more to Nick than to Gatsby.

Green Light in The Great Gatsby: The Bottom Line

• The green light is a permanently lit lamp that marks the end of Daisy and Tom's boat dock.
• The image of the green light occurs:
• At the end of Chapter 1, when Gatsby is reaching towards it and it is very mysterious.
• In Chapter 5, when Gatsby and Daisy have reconnected, taking the symbolic meaning away from the green light
• At the end of Chapter 9, when it transitions from being a symbol just for Gatsby and instead becomes a universal symbol of hope for the future.
• The significance and symbolic meaning of the green lights shifts:
• In the beginning of the novel, the light stands for Gatsby's dreams, hopes, and desires to reunite with Daisy.
• During the course of the novel, Gatsby's dream is revealed to be delusional and unrealizable, so the symbolic meaning behind the green light collapses.
• Finally, as Gatsby's dream is dashed, the green light stops being something that is his alone, and instead stands for the unreachable dream of an "orgastic future" that is constantly getting farther and farther away and that we keep trying to grab for.
• The green light is associated with:
• Jay Gatsby, who obsessively stares at this light at the end of Daisy's dock, dreaming of reuniting with her.
• Daisy Buchanan, since the green light, Gatsby's ambitious hopes, and Daisy are all symbolically one and the same.
• Nick Carraway, who is the one who realizes the significance of the green light for Gatsby and who connects the green light with everyone's hopes and dreams.
• Society and class, the upper echelon of which is just as out of reach for Gatsby as the green light.
• The American Dream, which is the aspirational hope that the novel shows in both its positive and negative lights.
• Colors, which are very significant in this methodically color-coded novel.

What's Next?

Review where the green light appears to get a better sense of its context: Chapter 1 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 9 , explore the way the end of The Great Gatsby connects to its beginning through the recurring image of the green light and compare and contrast Nick and Gatsby to see what the different ways they relate to the green light says about them.

Want to get some of that green light into your own life? Get yourself some Gatsby accessories from our list of the 15 must-have items for every fan of The Great Gatsby .

Check out all the other symbols that enrich this novel.

Decide whether Gatsby primarily treats Daisy as an object , or whether he does have a sense of her as a person and loves her for herself .

Read along as we walk through other works of literature with our analyses of " Do not go gently into that good night " (Dylan Thomas), The Cask of Amontillado (Edgar Allan Poe), and The Crucible (Arthur Miller).

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The Great Gatsby Symbolism

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Deciphering the Green Light in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is celebrated not only for its portrayal of the Jazz Age but also for its deep symbolism. At the heart of these symbols is the green light, an emblem of longing, dreams, and the pursuit of the elusive American Dream. Join The Reliable Narrator as we brighten the layers of meaning behind the light and its significance within the novel.

Plot Points

The Green Light’s Context in ‘The Great Gatsby’

Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, “ The Great Gatsby ” presents a world where wealth and despair go hand in hand. The green light, a small lamp placed at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock, becomes a focal point for Jay Gatsby’s dreams. Every evening, from his mansion across the bay, Gatsby gazes at this light, hoping it will guide him to his lost love and the promises of the past.

In the novel, the green light is more than just a beacon on a dock . Fitzgerald writes, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” 

This quote encapsulates the essence of the light as a symbol. It stands for Gatsby’s unyielding belief in the possibilities of tomorrow, even when faced with the realities of a changing society and personal disappointments.

The Green Light’s Symbolism

The green light in “The Great Gatsby” isn’t just a light at the end of a dock; it’s a symbol that offers insight into Gatsby’s psyche, the society he moves in, and the broader themes of the novel. 

Daisy and Lost Love

On its most immediate level, the green light symbolizes Daisy Buchanan – the woman Gatsby loves and the past he yearns to recapture. Just as the light is distant and seemingly unreachable, so is Daisy. She’s right across the bay, and yet, in terms of their circumstances, she might as well be worlds away. Gatsby’s fixation on the green light parallels his obsession with Daisy; it’s a constant, visible reminder of the love and life he once had and deeply desires to reclaim.

The American Dream

The 1920s in America, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change, marked by economic prosperity and a redefining of the American Dream. The light in this context can be seen as an embodiment of this dream: the aspiration for success, wealth, and love. For Gatsby, Daisy is a part of his American Dream.

 However, as the novel progresses, it becomes evident that the society that celebrates wealth and glamor also has decay, hypocrisy, and moral bankruptcy. The green light serves as a beacon of hope and a warning of the illusions of the American Dream.

Reality vs. Illusion

One of the most striking things about the green light is its dual nature. While it’s a symbol of aspiration and dreams, it also reflects the unattainable and the elusive. Gatsby can see it, he can fixate on it, but he can never truly reach it. This duality mirrors his own life. His extravagant lifestyle, filled with parties and opulence, is but a façade to mask his insecurities and his deep-seated longing for a past that’s forever gone. The green light, bright yet distant, is a stark reminder of this dichotomy – the dreams we chase versus the harsh truths of reality.

Amid the complexities and the dualities of the green light’s symbolism, one thing remains constant: hope. The fact that Gatsby, night after night, stands gazing at this light is a testament to his undying hope. Even when faced with the reality of Daisy’s fickleness or the cutthroat world of the East Egg elite, Gatsby’s belief in a better tomorrow, symbolized by the green light, never wavers. It’s this unwavering hope, in the face of insurmountable odds, that makes Gatsby a tragic but deeply relatable character.

Reliable Thoughts

The green light in “The Great Gatsby” is a symbol that captures the essence of Gatsby’s hopes, dreams, and delusions. It’s a constant reminder of the thin line between reality and aspiration and how the human spirit continues to hope and strive despite being aware of its delusions.

If you’re including this in your blog, you might consider supplementing the post with artwork or imagery that captures the ethereal quality of the green light, enhancing its evocative power for your readers.

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What Does the Green Light Symbolize in the Great Gatsby?

December 8, 2023

Much ink has been spilled (perhaps too much) trying to explain what the green light symbolizes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby . For those of you who read the book in high school (and those of you who pretended to), you likely remember at least one lengthy class discussion dedicated to the significance of the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock. You might have heard people argue that the green light symbolizes “the American Dream,” or Gatsby’s love for Daisy, or maybe Gatsby’s love of money (money is green, get it?). None of these arguments is wrong, per se. But none of them approach the text with any level of analytical sophistication. In this article, we’re going to talk about how we can discuss the symbolism of the green light in Gatsby without resorting to simplistic, reductive readings.

If it’s been a while since you’ve read The Great Gatsby , let’s review the plot of the book. On the first page of Gatsby , we meet our narrator, Nick Carraway. A recently returned WWI veteran, Nick has gone East to learn the bond business. Once there, he reconnects with his distant cousin, Daisy Buchanan, meets her violent, philandering husband, Tom, as well as Tom’s mistress, Myrtle. The house Nick is renting in Long Island turns out to be next to the mansion of Jay Gatsby, another WWI veteran who has made millions through some very shady deals. Coincidentally, Gatsby had met (and fallen in love with) Daisy before he left for the war.

What does the green light symbolize in The Great Gatsby? (Continued)

When Gatsby finds out that Daisy is Nick’s cousin, he asks him to arrange a meet-cute so that he can rekindle his relationship with her. By the end of the book, Daisy ends up accidentally killing Myrtle. Gatsby takes the blame and gets shot by Myrtle’s jealous husband. Tom and Daisy emerge unscathed and Nick goes back to the Midwest. Through all these events, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock reappears as a suggestive metaphor for desire, love, and the inability to recapture the past.

What’s a “Symbol” and Why Do Your Teachers Love Them?  

Most basically, a symbol is something – an object, a word, or picture – that stands for something else. You can probably name a bunch of symbols off the top of your head. The cross is a symbol for Christianity, a heart is a symbol of love, a dove for peace, etc. In all of these examples, the symbol distills a complex set of meanings into an easily readable sign. This is the strength of a symbol – it turns something complicated into something simple. In other words, symbols simplify . So far, so good. Things go wrong when we try to read simple symbols into complex works of literature. Like, for example, the green light in Gatsby .

In his article “ The Abuse of Symbols ,” Rob Goodman tries to explain why literature teachers are so hung up on symbols. Goodman argues that complex literary texts are uniquely ill-suited to assessment culture. In other words, literary texts (which, if successful, “thwart right answers”), confound an educational system that requires simple ways to judge student performance. Because symbols provide a testable correspondence between “object and meaning,” they are particularly well-suited to assessment. Goodman writes,

“[Symbols] allow for a set of answers to be written on whiteboards, penciled in on flashcards, repeated on tests. They allow students to be marked right or wrong. That’s why Cliff’s Notes and Spark Notes regularly come with handy indexed guides to symbols and their meanings—because those meanings are such a predictable feature of English tests.”

I know many of you are probably here because you’re looking for a symbolic reading of the green light in Gatsby. W e’ll get there! At the same time, I’m going to try to add just a bit more analytic complexity to our discussion 🙂

When is a light just a light?

Goodman’s article is primarily about symbols and the American education system. However, he does make a brief mention of a text by Erich Auerbach that might help us understand how the green light functions in Gatsby . Goodman cites Auerbach’s Mimesis to explain why symbols feel important. Goodman cites Auerbach’s belief that realism (of which Gatsby is a prime example) must be considered in relation to the “figural worldview” in which “events or objects can be assigned significance as signs, or ‘figures’ of a divine plan.” While Goodman uses this citation to sum up artists’ ability to imbue metaphysical significance to the banal – I take a different view. I’m inclined to understand our desire for symbols as simply a desire for some sort of significance in the face of a world bereft of meaning.

You’re probably wondering how this connects to The Great Gatsby . Let’s look at the final paragraph of the text to try and understand what’s happening. In perhaps the most affecting lines in American literature, our narrator Nick Carraway writes that,

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms further… And one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

There’s no doubt that the green light is a symbol. Gatsby can’t believe in a literal light. Rather, Gatsby can only believe in what the light symbolizes —the “orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.” Or does he? In this moment in the text, it’s important to remember who’s talking—our narrator, Nick Carraway. Rather than establishing the green light as some sort of definitive symbol, what if we say that this moment merely tells us something about Nick’s own desire for meaning?

Nick Carraway–Reliable Reporter? 

We need to remember that the story of Gatsby has always already been filtered through the lens of our narrator, Nick Carraway. When Nick writes the first line of the novel: “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice…” all the events of the story have already happened. Thus, when Nick says “No—Gatsby turned out all right at the end,” Gatsby is already dead. This retrospective rewriting of the past cannot be overstated. When Nick waxes eloquently about “the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men,” in the first section of the text, he has already attended Gatsby’s parties, met Daisy, Tom, and Jordan, watched Daisy fall in and out of love with Gatsby, and attended Gatsby’s funeral.

This is all to say that the entire text of The Great Gatsby is Nick looking back on a particularly fraught period of his life. As with any memory, there are bound to be elisions, gaps, and erasures. I certainly don’t mean to say that Nick is purposefully lying to the reader. At the same time, given the violence, grief, and upheaval of his time with Gatsby, he could be forgiven for letting his emotions and desires cloud his reporting.

Dreams of the Past / Dreams in the Present

With this new perspective, let’s take another look at the last mention of the green light in the novel. Earlier we read Nick’s assertion that “Gatsby believed in the green light…”, but it’s important to examine this “green light” in relation to the entirety of Nick’s final musings. In the final paragraphs of the novel, Nick establishes a direct analogy between Gatsby’s light and “the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes—a fresh, green breast of the new world” (emphasis added). Only after this meditation on the “discovery” of the American continent does Nick consider Gatsby. He writes,

“And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night.”

In this first part of this quote, Nick establishes a contrast between Gatsby’s dream and reality. On the one hand “[Gatsby’s] dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it”—on the other, “it was already behind him.” Let’s try to figure out what Nick means here. It’s safe to say that Gatsby’s dream has always been Daisy. If this is the case, what does Nick mean when he says that Gatsby’s dream of Daisy “was already behind him”? To understand this statement, we have to remember that Gatsby met and fell in love with Daisy five years before at Camp Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. With this in mind, what Nick means becomes clear. Gatsby thinks that his dream is within reach. He doesn’t realize that he’s still chasing a dream from five years ago.

Nick Carraway and the Tyranny of Hope

According to Nick, Gatsby is split between the present and the past. This same divide plays itself out in the final lines of the novel. Recall Nick’s statement:

On the one hand, we (along with Gatsby) believe in “an orgastic future.” On the other, we are “born back…into the past.” We know that Gatsby was chasing a future with Daisy that was based on a past that cannot be recreated. Understood in this way, the quote above does two things. 1) it generalizes this condition to all humanity. 2) asserts its absolute inevitability. Reading the quote above, Nick implicates himself (and perhaps everyone) in this temporal split—“it eludes us…we will run…stretch our arms.” According to Nick, we continue in this impossible striving due to some perverse optimism. After all, if we run fast enough and stretch out far enough, “one fine morning—”

At the same time, Nick seems to imply that this condition is inevitable. According to Nick, this imaginary future is always already our past coming back to haunt us. In other words, what we imagine for our future is merely the already dead dream of our past.

What’s Left for Nick? 

Like I said at the beginning of this essay, it’s not wrong to say that the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s love of Daisy. At the same time, to claim that “green light = Daisy’s love” doesn’t give us much insight into how the green light functions in the text. Remember, everytime we read about the green light, it’s because Nick wants to talk about the green light. It’s safe to say that it’s not actually Gatsby who’s obsessed with the green light—it’s Nick.

When I read the final lines of the book, I’m struck by a feeling of resignation. For Nick, it’s as if we’re stuck replaying the past, even when we try to dream our futures. In some ways, it makes sense that Nick might come to such a conclusion. We mustn’t forget that Nick has been scarred by the violence of the world. Coming home from the incalculable death of WWI, he finds himself surrounded by the impersonal violence of capitalism run amok. One can understand how, for Nick, the idea of meaningful progress seems unlikely. More likely is an unending cycle of state violence and economic callousness. Considering the events that came after Gatsby ’s publication—the worldwide economic depression and subsequent world war, Nick’s pessimism seems prescient.

What does the green light symbolize in The Great Gatsby? – Additional Resources

For more The Great Gatsby-related resources check out these blogs written by our same expert:

• The Great Gatsby Themes & Analysis 
• Great Gatsby Quotes about the American Dream
• Great Gatsby Quotes & Analysis
• High School Success

Devon Wootten

Devon holds a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing & International Relations, an MFA in Poetry, and a PhD in Comparative Literature. For nearly a decade, he served as an assistant professor in the First-Year Seminar Program at Whitman College. Devon is a former Fulbright Scholar as well as a Writing & Composition Instructor of Record at the University of Iowa and Poetry Instructor of Record at the University of Montana. Most recently, Devon’s work has been published in Fugue , Bennington Review , and TYPO , among others. 

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The Great Gatsby

F. scott fitzgerald.

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The Green Light and the Color Green

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock is the symbol of Gatsby's hopes and dreams. It represents everything that haunts and beckons Gatsby: the physical and emotional distance between him and Daisy, the… read analysis of The Green Light and the Color Green

The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg on the billboard overlooking the Valley of Ashes represent many things at once: to Nick they seem to symbolize the haunting waste of the past, which lingers on… read analysis of The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The Valley of Ashes

An area halfway between New York City and West Egg, the Valley of Ashes is an industrial wasteland covered in ash and soot. If New York City represents all the "mystery and beauty in the… read analysis of The Valley of Ashes

East and West

Nick describes the novel as a book about Westerners, a "story of the West." Tom , Daisy , Jordan , Gatsby , and Nick all hail from places other than the East. The romanticized American… read analysis of East and West

Gatsby's Mansion

Gatsby's mansion symbolizes two broader themes of the novel. First, it represents the grandness and emptiness of the 1920s boom: Gatsby justifies living in it all alone by filling the house weekly with "celebrated people."… read analysis of Gatsby's Mansion

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Charting the Symbolism: the Green Light in the Great Gatsby

This essay about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” explores the symbolism of the green light, situated at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock. The green light serves as a multifaceted symbol throughout the narrative, representing Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream, the elusive nature of his love for Daisy, and the moral decay underlying the Jazz Age. As the story progresses, the green light evolves into a symbol of existential despair, reflecting the inevitability of disillusionment and the fleeting nature of human aspirations. Ultimately, the green light stands as a testament to Fitzgerald’s skillful storytelling and the enduring allure of the American Dream, offering readers a profound exploration of the complexities of human experience.

How it works

Amidst F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the shimmering beacon emerges as a tapestry of intricate symbolism, its threads intricately woven through the narrative with an incomparable allure. Nestled against the backdrop of the Jazz Age’s tumult, this mysterious luminescence, stationed at Daisy Buchanan’s dock’s terminus, weaves a tale of yearning, ambition, and eventual disillusionment. Its significance evolves, much like the characters themselves, resonating with layers of meaning that surpass mere imagery.

From the outset, the emerald light acts as Gatsby’s guiding star, directing his unyielding pursuit of the American Dream.

Positioned across the bay, it signifies both the distant promise of prosperity and the unattainable embodiment of Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s long-lost love. As Nick Carraway witnesses Gatsby’s nocturnal vigil, the verdant beacon transforms into a metaphor for intangible dreams propelling individuals forward, despite the vast expanse separating them from their aspirations.

Yet, beneath its radiant facade, the green light conceals a shadowy undercurrent, reflecting the moral ambiguity and spiritual desolation of the era. Amidst Gatsby’s extravagant soirées and opulent displays of wealth, the green light serves as a silent witness to the moral decay festering beneath the Jazz Age’s glittering surface. It symbolizes the hollow pursuit of materialism and the emptiness lurking behind social status and prestige.

As the narrative unfolds, the green light evolves into a symbol of existential despair, embodying the inevitability of disillusionment and the futility of clinging to illusions. Despite Gatsby’s fervent belief in recreating the past, the green light serves as a stark reminder of the impossibility of reversing time’s tides. In its flickering glow, Gatsby confronts the harsh reality of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence.

In the novel’s climactic moments, as Gatsby’s dreams unravel amidst betrayal and tragedy, the green light casts its haunting radiance over the wreckage of shattered illusions. It becomes a symbol of lost innocence and shattered dreams, illuminating the path to Gatsby’s inevitable downfall. In its final gleam, the green light serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of human aspirations and the tragic consequences of chasing after illusions.

In conclusion, the green light in “The Great Gatsby” transcends its role as a mere symbol, assuming multifaceted significance that mirrors the complexities of the human experience. From its inception as a beacon of hope and possibility to its ultimate manifestation as a harbinger of disillusionment and despair, the green light stands as a testament to the enduring power of Fitzgerald’s prose and the timeless allure of the American Dream.

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Style & Symbols in The Great Gatsby

Symbols in The Great Gatsby are very important, while style is what makes all the pieces coherent. In his novel, Fitzgerald uses language and literary devices to create a unique mood that allows the readers to dive deep into the Jazz Age setting.

Welcome The Great Gatsby symbolism & style page prepared by our editorial team!

• ✒️ Literary Elements
• 👁️ Rhetorical Devices
• 🔤 Vocabulary
• 🗺️ Navigation

🎓 References

🌈 symbols in the great gatsby.

In literature, symbols are used to highlight the ideas or aspects by giving them a metaphorical (not literal) meaning. It means that the object represents something more than it seems at first sight . In The Great Gatsby , symbolism is very well worked through. Every chapter contains at least several symbols that need to be interpreted to understand the novel’s messages.

The key symbols in The Great Gatsby are: colors, the green light, T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes, and Gatsby’s car.

Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

There are a few main symbols in the novel, but the most extensive one is color imagery in The Great Gatsby . Fitzgerald masterfully manipulates different colors making the story extra visual. Also, it gives the story an additional layer of meaning. In every chapter, they are varied, which helps it set a specific mood fitting to the situation. At first, it is hard to notice them because they are introduced so subtly. However, the analysis of The Great Gatsby’s color symbolism brings clarity and unveils the deeper meanings of situations.

Colors have special meaning to people all over the world. Some of them are universal, such as green, which means nature, energy, and fertility. Sometimes, people also associate it with some personal affairs, just like Gatsby does. In Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby , color symbolism is introduced to the readers by the green light. It can be traced throughout the whole novel.

“…He gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone – he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 1)

Color symbolism may be quite controversial from time to time since everybody interprets colors in their own way. However, in Fitzgerald’s book, they are tightly interconnected with the main ideas. Therefore, it is hard to miss the meaning of a specific color.

Colors in The Great Gatsby

There are many flashy colors in The Great Gatsby , such as gold and silver or pink. They fit quite well into the luxurious setting of the novel.

Blue, white, green, and yellow are simpler and more discreet ones. Still, they play an essential role in the understanding of the main ideas. They help create this dreamlike setting of the story.

Blue in The Great Gatsby

Blue in The Great Gatsby represents loneliness and isolation . Gatsby’s “blue lawn” reflects on how sad and lonely he is, even in the middle of lavish parties. By the end of the novel, Nick mentions “the blue leaves” and “the blue smoke,” which may symbolize Gatsby’s beautiful dreams and the illusion of the American Dream .

White in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby , the white color is the Daisy ‘s one . She dresses in white, and her house has a lot of white. It is a symbol of her purity and innocence, as well as her angelic beauty. On the other hand, white represents her hollowness since, except for the luxury of the upper class, she sees no purpose in life.

Green in The Great Gatsby

Green in The Great Gatsby is closely related to the green light of Daisy’s dock . Therefore, it symbolizes Gatsby’s hope and love. Just like the “fresh, green breast of the new world” was an aspiration for the first explorers, green light gives confidence to Gatsby. Finally, the green color also represents the power of money that he’s got.

Yellow in The Great Gatsby

Yellow in The Great Gatsby represents money and desire . Gatsby decided to decorate his mansion in the tones of yellow and buy a yellow car. However, the yellow color is not exactly gold. This imitation shows how Gatsby is trying to become a part of the elite club by pretending to have good taste and manners.

“The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher. Laughter is easier, minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word.” ( The Great Gatsby, chapter 3 )

Green Light in The Great Gatsby

“A single green light” is located at the end of Daisy’s dock in East Egg and carries a special meaning to Gatsby. He can barely see it from the other side of the bay but still longs for it every night. In The Great Gatsby , the green light is a significant symbol connected to Gatsby and Daisy .

The Significance of the Green Light in The Great Gatsby

It is vital to explain the significance of the green light because it is the core of Gatsby’s character. It represents his dreams and hopes about a happy future with Daisy . The light leads him towards it through the darkness. However, Gatsby cannot reach it, just like he can’t reach the green light on the other side of the bay.

“If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay… You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 5 )

What Does the Green Light Symbolize at the End of the Novel?

At the end of the novel, the green light symbolizes a bit of a different idea. When Nick is looking at the green light, he compares it to the image of the newly found fresh and green land, just as how it seemed to the first settlers in America . They saw it as a land of hope and infinite opportunities.

Car as a Symbol in The Great Gatsby

Cars have a symbolic meaning in the novel as well. First of all, they have been seen as a symbol of status at all times . Even today, people can be ranked by judging on the model and year of cars they own.

Gatsby’s yellow car is a perfect vehicle for him as it plays its role – to impress people. There is completely no other reason for him to own such a vehicle, mainly when Nick describes it as “monstrous” and “swollen.” But it is a car of a millionaire, and it represents Gatsby’s identity. Not only does he want to show off, but it goes back to his dream to win Daisy back, of course. He uses the money to reach his own American Dream. What is more, Gatsby’s car is a combination of the primary colors of the novel – “green leather” and “rich cream color,” which is yellow.

In Chapter 7 , Gatsby objects to letting Tom drive his car. The fact highlights the importance of the car for him. Just like for most men, for him it is more than a vehicle. Gatsby despises Tom and thinks his suggestion is “distasteful.” This yellow car with green seats is a symbol of Gatsby’s dream and love for Daisy. Therefore, he sees no reason whatsoever for Tom to drive it.

Gatsby’s Car Symbolism

Therefore, Gatsby’s car symbolism can be considered a part of his identity. The car is flashy and is intended to impress everyone around, including Daisy. This kind of attitude reflects Gatsby’s “new money” status since they are the ones who try to be seen as elite but end up looking tasteless and vulgar.

TJ Eckleburg’s Eyes in The Great Gatsby

T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes stare at the Valley of Ashes from the billboard. In The Great Gatsby, the eyes have different meanings for each character , which makes the advertisement a representation of the meaningless world. It means that people give value to the objects, which makes them the creators of their own reality. Everybody sees whatever they want to see.

Who Is Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in The Great Gatsby?

In The Great Gatsby, Dr. T.J. Eckleburg is the eye doctor whose clinic is advertised on the billboard. His yellow spectacles look down on the grey people living in the ashes. However, for some people, the eyes carry religious meaning. For example, George Wilson sees the eyes of God in them and believes they send him divine messages.

“Standing behind him Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg which had just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night. ‘God sees everything,’ repeated Wilson.” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 8 )

🎵 Motifs in The Great Gatsby

A motif is an element that appears quite often in the text and carries a symbolic meaning. The purpose of the motif is to set a theme that is usually closely tied to the main idea of the work. Motifs in The Great Gatsby may seem hard to find, but they play an essential role in the overall impression.

Alcohol, parties, and weather are the three central motifs in The Great Gatsby .

Alcohol in The Great Gatsby

In the 1920s, people in America were partying like never before, and, of course, there was alcohol. Even though selling it was illegal, drinking was a part of everyday life . At least for those who could afford it.

In The Great Gatsby , alcohol is considered to be for the privileged only. The amount of alcohol is limited, and it is hard to get . Still, for someone who has the money, it is not a problem. However, it seems like no one at Gatsby’s parties is concerned about where all the unlimited drinks come from.

Prohibition in The Great Gatsby

Prohibition in The Great Gatsby is a big issue since the story’s setting is in the 1920s when producing and selling alcohol was banned in America. However, almost every character in the novel drinks . Prohibition doesn’t seem to have any severe effects on people’s lifestyles. Liquor stores may have lost their profits, but others, like Gatsby, use this chance.

Was Gatsby a Bootlegger?

Tom is eager to know if Gatsby is a bootlegger as the source of his fortune raises suspicions quite regularly. Even if there is no evidence, Gatsby’s underground connection with Meyer Wolfsheim leads to the conclusion that he is a criminal . Thanks to Tom’s investigation, it appears that Gatsby sells alcohol over the counters of the drug shops he owns.

Parties in The Great Gatsby

Gatsby’s parties are the motif that underlines the unnecessary festivity of the Roaring Twenties , which is usually overdone. His extraordinary, lavish, and surreal parties are held for wealthy people who don’t see any other purpose in life rather than drink and dance. The importance of this motif is that it shows the dark side of the Jazz Age.

The Great Gatsby: Party Scenes

Party scenes in The Great Gatsby only bring satisfaction to the readers. However, the symbolism that they carry is far less colorful. Hundreds of people gather in Gatsby’s mansion just to use his hospitality and get drunk. Through these extravagant celebrations, Fitzgerald highlights the significance of the moral theme in the 1920s .

All the guests are nothing more than pleasure-seekers who care little about their host. Almost none of them have met Gatsby in person. It is much more entertaining for them to create absurd rumors about his background. Their carelessness comes up when Gatsby dies since only one single party guest attends his funeral. And, of course, nobody has a clue about the underlying meaning of all the lavish parties in the West Egg.

“The bar is in full swing and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive with chatter and laughter and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other’s names.” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 3)

Gatsby throws parties with the only purpose of attracting Daisy’s attention . However, the first Gatsby’s party she attends doesn’t leave her impressed. She is disgusted by the inappropriate behavior of the new rich, even though she is as hollow inside as they are. Old money hates new money because they lack manners, but the truth is that neither of them has moral values. The lack of morality is also showing off through the influential guests. They use the parties to do their shady business there as even criminals attend the festivities. Also, it is a great place to find an affair, just like Tom is trying to do when he and Daisy come by. All in all, Gatsby’s parties are a great example of the ugly reality of the 1920s.

Weather in The Great Gatsby

Weather in The Great Gatsby serves as an emotional booster and has nothing to do with geography. On the day that Daisy and Gatsby reunite, it rains, emphasizing the sadness and longing for the past. While the central fight between Tom and Gatsby occurs on the hottest day, spurring their anger on.

✒️ Literary Elements of The Great Gatsby

The great gatsby: genre.

The Great Gatsby is a novel since it is a long piece of writing telling about human emotional experiences. It is also done with a fair bit of realism. Moreover, The Great Gatsby genre is identified as a tragedy because Gatsby possesses a desire for Daisy’s wealth, which eventually leads him to a tragic ending.

The Great Gatsby: Point of View

In The Great Gatsby , the point of view is limited to Nick’s perception . The story is told in the first person, which makes it very unreliable. Even though Nick’s imagery helps understand the situations in the book quite well, it may be corrupted by his emotions. He claims he never judges people, but it is not entirely true.

The Great Gatsby: Style

There is no need to do a realism vs. modernism comparison in the novel because it has them both . The Great Gatsby is built around complex characters and the profoundly psychological descriptions of their behavior, which is typical for realism. At the same time, Fitzgerald implements literary elements of modernism. This blend is what makes this book truly “great.”

Modernism in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby , modernism is not the dominant genre. However, it is a critical element of the overall structure of the novel. Fitzgerald uses many symbols and poetic descriptions , such as “shining dust,” and plays with colors. He also pictures cars as something dangerous. Altogether it makes the story modernist.

F. Scott Fitzgerald: Writing Style

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing style is unique. He describes everything from the setting and appearances to the characters’ feelings. The literary devices he uses, like metaphors and symbols , create a romantic mood in the novel. The most descriptive adjectives he comes up with cannot be more perfectly fitted for the situations.

The Great Gatsby’s Tone

Since Nick is the narrator , the tone of The Great Gatsby depends on his personal impressions and feelings. Therefore, it differs from chapter to chapter. For example, in the first part of the story, the tone is very skeptical and sometimes disrespectful as Nick judges everyone. In the end, it becomes melancholic and compassionate towards Gatsby.

The Great Gatsby: First Line Meaning

The Great Gatsby’s opening line not only gives an insight into Nick’s background but also sets how the story is told. The first line of The Great Gatsby is his father’s advice, which Nick can hardly follow. Moreover, the words about “the advantages” he has had may have made him arrogant to some extension.

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 1)

The Great Gatsby: Last Paragraph Meaning

The last paragraph of The Great Gatsby is a conclusion to the whole novel as it goes back to the theme of the past once again. It represents Gatsby’s desire to recreate the past even though it seems like his dream is all about the bright future. This last sentence repeats the moral of the story.

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning – So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” ( The Great Gatsby , chapter 9 )

👁️ Rhetorical Devices in The Great Gatsby

Allusions in the great gatsby.

Allusions are references to the external books or historical events that the author makes in his writing. In The Great Gatsby , allusions are not rare. The most famous must be the one in Chapter 1. During the lunch, Tom makes a reference to a book called The Rise of the Coloured Empires , which was written by Lothrop Goddard in 1920. It is important because it allows seeing Tom’s hidden characteristics, such as racism and arrogance. There are even some biblical allusions, including the moment when Nick calls Gatsby “a son of God.”

Apart from allusions, one of the most rhetorical devices in The Great Gatsby is imagery . Fitzgerald does a fantastic job describing every little detail of the story, which allows the readers to imagine it with all five senses. For example, describing the moments before the dawn, he writes: “ghostly birds began to sing among the blue leaves.

“Moreover, there are a lot of literary devices in The Great Gatsby that Fitzgerald uses frequently. Those include metaphors, hyperbole , symbolism , and simile . The ridiculous and exaggerated rumors are a great example of hyperbole in the novel. Oxymoron should also be included as Wolfsheim appears to eat “with ferocious delicacy.”

Irony in The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald offers plenty of irony in The Great Gatsby , but only a few examples need to be reviewed carefully. In the very first chapter, Nick’s description of himself as a non-judgmental person is ironic since he judges other men in the same paragraph. Daisy killing Myrtle, without knowing she is her husband’s lover, also represents irony.

Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby

Foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby is one special technique. In the beginning, Nick says that “Gatsby turned out all right at the end,” even though death is really considered a happy ending. After all, these words imply that Nick’s impression of Gatsby changed for the better, and the reader knows that Gatsby is the protagonist of the story.

🔤 The Great Gatsby Vocabulary

• Gonnegtion. In The Great Gatsby , the meaning of some words is not entirely clear. One of these words is “gonnegtion,” which is used by Mr. Wolfshiem. He assumes that Nick is a criminal and offers him his help with connections. So, there is no need to look up the definition of “gonnection” as it is Wolfshiem’s mistake.
• Oggsford is another creation of Meyer Wolfsheim. It appears when he tries to tell Nick that Gatsby is an Oxford graduate. Due to his specific pronunciation, which may be connected to his Jew roots, the word “Oxford” comes out as “Oggsford.” Moreover, it may also be a sign of his poor education.
• Orgastic future. One of the last paragraphs in the novel includes the words “orgastic future,” which Gatsby believed in. The definition of “orgastic” can hardly be found in the dictionary. However, it has similarities with the word “orgasmic,” which may emphasize Gatsby’s American Dream. He believed that the future of ecstatic happiness was waiting on him.
• Paternal contempt. Describing Tom, Nick says that he has “a touch of paternal contempt” in his voice. It may derive from the word “paternalistic.” Such a description suggests that Tom is the full opposite of submissive. His arrogance is only a shade of his dictatorship. Later in the novel, he indeed shows himself as the only legitimate authority.
• Platonic conception of himself. Nick says that Gatsby “sprang from his Platonic conception of himself,” which points out Gatsby’s new identity. It goes back to Plato’s idea of perfection: everything has its perfect form. Therefore, the meaning behind Nick’s phrase is that Gatsby shaped his identity according to his own standards of an ideal man.
• Spectroscopic gayety. The phrase appears when Nick describes the relationship between East Egg and West Egg. In The Great Gatsby , the meaning of these words refers to one of the main themes – aristocrats’ hate of the new rich. Therefore, “spectroscopic gayety” can be defined as the lavish and vulgar parties in West Egg organized by Gatsby.
• Teutonic migration. “Delayed Teutonic migration” is a historical reference that Nick makes. This phrase Nick chooses when he talks about World War I. In this way, he compares the German army’s march to France via Belgium in 1914 to the ancient German tribe of Teutons who were migrating through Europe. Nick’s knowledge and witty comment show off his quality education.
• Unaffected Scorn. In The Great Gatsby , the meaning of the words “unaffected scorn” might be unclear. The phrase appears when Nick talks about his feelings towards Gatsby. It means that he describes everything that Jay does. Later, however, he changes his mind, and Gatsby ends up being the only person Nick genuinely respects.
• The Great Gatsby I Summary, Context, Reception, & Analysis
• Best Summary and Analysis: The Great Gatsby
• 8 Ways ‘The Great Gatsby’ Captures the Roaring Twenties
• What The Great Gatsby Reveals About The Jazz Age | JSTOR
• The Great Gatsby and Prohibition | The History KItchen Blog
• Symbolism – Style – Higher English Revision – BBC Bitesize
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Study Guide Menu

• Short Summary
• Summary (Chapter 1)
• Summary (Chapter 2)
• Summary (Chapter 3)
• Summary (Chapter 4)
• Summary (Chapter 5)
• Summary (Chapter 6)
• Summary (Chapter 7)
• Summary (Chapter 8)
• Summary (Chapter 9)
• Symbolism & Style
• Quotes Explained
• Essay Topics & Examples
• Questions & Answers
• F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Biography
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, May 24). Style & Symbols in The Great Gatsby. https://ivypanda.com/lit/the-great-gatsby-study-guide/symbolism-style/

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Great Gatsby — Great Gatsby Symbolism and Symbols

Great Gatsby Symbolism and Symbols

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

Words: 750 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Symbolism of the green light, symbolism of the valley of ashes, symbolism of the eyes of dr. t.j. eckleburg, bibliography.

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