Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

With the beginning of the 20th century, great changes arrived in all spheres of human activity due to the growing needs of the society. Like everything else, literature had to offer new literary frames that will meet the requirements of the readership. One of the pioneers that had the courage to try something different and unique was the American novelist Francis Scott Fitzgerald, who became a cultural icon because of his success to embody the era he in which he lived inside of his works. Through the analysis of some key symbols in ‘The Great Gatsby’ we will see how for example colors do not always have positive connotations or how some elements, minor and irrelevant to the one group of characters, have great importance to the other.

Later on in the novel the violence escalates, “The death car, as the newspapers called it, never stopped...” (Fitzgerald 137). This quote is referring to Myrtle getting hit by a car. This incident causes a reaction from her husband, George Wilson. From his reaction we get to see a glimpse into the nature of man.

After reviewing the data and severity of the injury, lab experts made it clear that a suicide would be impossible. A full autopsy reported that Patrick’s skull had been crushed from behind, thus ruling out a possible suicide. The only sensible and realistic explanation was that Mrs.Maloney had horrendously murdered her

Starting off, Fitzgerald uses the color green to show the distance Gatsby is away from his dream and how the green light represents disappointment and failure. In the first chapter of the book Gatsby was reaching toward his hope, “Stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and as 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 green light is used to represent multiple things. The first thing it represents is Gatsby’s desire, his dream which is Daisy. To win Daisy would help Gatsby accomplish his American dream. The first time the green light is seen in the novel is when Nick sees Gatsby for the first time, Fitzgerald describes it as, "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.

Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism through colours and religious motifs brings out a critique of the pursuit of the American dream, in how such a pursuit of material wealth and status is ultimately consuming. Integral to this essay is our understanding of a relationship between Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy and Gatsby’s pursuit of status. While both pursuits may be viewed as Gatsby’s goals in life, each may also be understood as a means rather than the end. They seemingly share a circular relationship. Gatsby pursues wealth and status as a means to the end of winning Daisy’s heart.

His giant eyes also watch over the Valley of Ashes, a dump between New York and West Egg (Westbrook 83). Eckleburg looms over the world from a billboard and acts like the all-seeing eye, a God-like persona that observes society rotting away. In the wasteland that is the Valley of Ashes, Doctor Eckleburg’s “persistent stare” observes the disastrous marriage of George and Myrtle (27). It is also here that Eckleburg’s gigantic eyes, watch as Daisy who is driving Gatsby’s yellow car, attempts to avoid hitting the distressed Myrtle as she sprints out onto the road to escape the clutches of her husband. The all-seeing eye watches as Gatsby tries to “swing the wheel” and avoid the on rushing Myrtle as she cries for help (137).

Society and literature have presented constant concepts throughout all texts, notably, individual desire has been a universal standard through which love and social expectation can be explored. However, whilst this is a universal theme, differing contexts can produce new explorations and perceptions of classical beliefs, reinforcing distinctive qualities within texts. Notably, Elizabeth Barret Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese challenged literary and societal standards of the Victorian era, whilst Scott. F. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby similarly challenges the extravagance and cultural devaluation of the ‘roaring 20s’.

Body Revenge 266 words Revenge has happen in both Jasper Jones and the Dressmaker when, Eliza a character in jasper jones, burned her own home down because of what her father done to Laura “ And there, right in front of me, the Wishart house is crackling furiously from the inside. It’s a single box of flames. Ribbons of red and orange lick at broken windows” (page 391), but it also has some comparisons to Tilly who, burned the entire town down because they are trash that needed to be burned (1:51:00 to 1:52:00).

When I read the last part of The Great Gatsby, I was totally touched by Gatsby’s sacrifice for Daisy. When Wilson’s wife Myrtle tragic accident happened, Gatsby tries to hide the truth which is Daisy driving that car instantly killed Myrtle. Gatsby tell Nick what had happened during that situation. “Well, I tried to swing the wheel- he broke off, and suddenly” (Fitzgerald, 152). In order to protect Daisy, Gatsby even does not want to tell his old sport Nick.

In The Great Gatsby written by F.Scott Fitzgerald symbolism is shown in more ways than one but one major form is the eyes of TJ.Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg is a billboard advertising an oculist that features a pair of giant blue eyes covered by yellow glasses that seem to watch over everything in the valley of ashes. First example The eyes witness the sin of adultery between Tom and Myrtle “I want to see you said Tom intently. Get on the next train.” (Fitzgerald 15)

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. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness.” (1.152) "If it wasn 't for the mist we could see your home across the bay," said Gatsby. "You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock." Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said.

In his novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald includes many themes that go beyond the surface of the text itself. The themes allude to organized crime, color symbolism, relationships, weather symbolism, and a mysterious billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. Each of these themes plays an essential role in understanding the personality of Jay Gatsby, his life choices throughout the novel, and his relationships with other characters in the novel. The element of color, specifically green, white, grey, and silver stands out as an extremely important factor in shaping and explaining parts of the novel. From the very beginning of the novel, Fitzgerald incorporates color into his novel which is narrated by Nick Carraway.