What Does Myrtle Represent In The Great Gatsby
What does the symbol show?
The symbol selected depicts numerous burnt and crumpled cigarettes lying amongst a mass of char within an ashtray. Of the visible cigarettes, only one remains in a usable condition, and as a result, it has already been lit and thus will burn out soon. The ashtray of which it resides in is made of glass and is elegantly crafted; however, the cinders from the flames have dirtied the glass’ complexion, leaving only a clouded, translucent reflection. Together, this symbol paints a strikingly accurate metaphor of Jay Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy Buchanan.
How does the symbol show this? Within the novel, there are various events which show the true nature of Gatsby’ and Daisy’ relationship. Most of these events hint at a negative quality, such as parasitism when Daisy kills Myrtle and has Gatsby take the blame for it (Fitzgerald
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During the course of the novel, a wide array of motifs are explored. Moreover, these motifs are paralleled in the cigarette symbol, and thus connect the symbol with the story. For example, Gatsby’s love for Daisy is a driving force behind the story. However, the state of their relations is foreshadowed in the symbol, as the focus of the picture are the numerous cigarettes, which for the most part, are scorched and crumpled amidst a blanket of ash.
This symbolizes the consequences of their actions, where the act of smoking represents the act of having a love affair. Due to the person smoking the cigarettes in the picture, numerous cigarettes have been used and discarded, and the once elegant ashtray is now stained with dust and covered in soot. In this situation, the soot represents the poor outcome of the story, predominantly the relationships between Nick/Jordan and Gatsby/Daisy. As the viewer will perceive the ashes as an unfavourable outcome, when associating their relationships with the symbol, the viewer can determine the outcomes of their
What Does The Valley Of Ashes Symbolize In The Great Gatsby
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The Color Grey In The Great Gatsby
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What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby
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Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby
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