Myrtle's Use Of Color In The Great Gatsby

Gatsby Extended Response, Logan Veley, Period 1 Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a unique system of color descriptions to mold his story. His use of these colors had an astounding impact throughout his writing. Fitzgerald transformed something as simple as colors into a crucial element to his story. With these descriptive colors, Fitzgerald created a portal through which the reader is able to have insight to the characters’ development. The colors create a situation that allows the reader to interpret the true meaning of the scene. This allows for the reader to achieve a better understanding of what the colors are describing. When Fitzgerald describes an object with a color, the description is able to go much deeper than a simple adjective. Along with the the literal denotation of the color, the description provides countless connotations that connect to the situation. Fitzgerald's purpose for using colors is shown when he says, “An hour later the front door opened nervously, and Gatsby in a white flannel suit, silver shirt and gold-colored tie hurried in.” The colors provide a physical description of Gatsby as he

Myrtle’s red lips represent her haughty and bold personality, but red also represent blood and death. Such references can connect to future events such as Myrtle’s death. Other colors such as the grey ash heap can portray a gloomy, bleak, and depressing mood. Finally, the colors allow for a unique and elaborate development of the characters that wouldn't be achieved through other descriptions. This development is shown through Gatsby. Green is an important color that shapes how the reader views Gatsby. Earlier in life Gatsby wore a “torn green jersey.” This represented his envy for wealth and an improvement in his social status. As Gatsby’s character develops, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock still represents his hope for what he