How Does Scott Fitzgerald Use Symbols In The Great Gatsby

Symbolism may be considered one of the most used literary devices. In the novel, The Great Gatsby by Scott F. Fitzgerald, the use of symbols within the book creates a deeper meaning and understanding of a particular theme. The prominent theme in this novel is that someone or something may always be watching, and everything is not as it seems. Although Tom Buchanan may seem like he is in love with Daisy, as they share a child, he holds special feelings for his mistress. Gatsby is marveled as a rich, benevolent party host, but his past is not what he leads everyone to believe. Even Gatsby and Daisy hide their hidden, and somewhat forbidden love. Both the oculist’s eyes and the owl eyed man contribute to the forming of this theme within the book.

Firzgerald uses in his novel for symbolism purposes is the owl-eyed man. Nick and Jordan first encounter him at Gatsby’s party. He is likely named Owl Eyes is because of his “enormous owl-eyed spectacles” (49). He had been sitting in Gatsby’s library marveling at the books within. The man could not quite comprehend that the books were real, and not “a nice durable cardboard” (50). It is clear that this man with the giant spectacles has his own perceptions of Gatsby, and he may even see through Gatsby’s veil. Then, the event of Gatsby’s death occurs, and no matter how many people Nick calls, no one seems to want to come. Besides Nick and Jay Gatsby’s father, Owl Eyes is the only other person to show up to the burial. Nick does not know how the man had gotten the time or place of the funeral, and when he shows up, the man with the giant owl-eyed spectacles was floored at the fact that no one has come to mourn Mr. Gatsby. In reality, hundreds of people used to show up to Gatsby’s parties, but none to his funeral. Perhaps this odd man was able to see through Gatsby’s marvelous façade, and because he was able to understand Gatsby more than most, it enabled him to show up the burial. This event ties into the theme that everything may not be what it seems. The owl-eyed man was very much more observant than first described. Gatsby to most of his party guests was a mystery. Many did not know who he truly was, and they did not know of his past. He had on a

Doctor Eckleburg’s eyes are “blue and gigantic- their retinas one yard high” (27). They are all-seeing and all-knowing. They watch over Tom as he continues his affair with Myrtle. Watches as Myrtle betrays her clueless husband, Mr. Wilson, time after time. It sees Tom act out of anger and tell Mr. Wilson that the car was Gatsby’s. In the end, they observe closely as George Wilson murders Jay Gatsby, and then continues to kill himself. As the story unfolds, the oculist’s eyes remain there the whole time, symbolizing some type of higher being who is always watching, and although it may portrayed as just a billboard in the novel, it has quite a deeper meaning, and it is not quite what it seems. The owl-eyed man adds to the symbolism on a more personal level. He has direct contact with the characters in the story. Although many of Gatsby’s party guests did not even think twice about their host, this man is one of the few that know more than his name. The owl-eyed man seemed to follow Gatsby’s whereabouts, and he knew who Gatsby truly was. He contemplated about Gatsby in the library, and when no one else showed up to the funeral, he did. Sadly, even Gatsby’s reoccurring guests did not make an appearance because they had no real connection to their host. The owl-eyed man ties into the theme in the way that although he may have seemed like a drunken man who makes bad decisions at a first glance, his hidden wisdom