What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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In “The Great Gatsby,” Fitzgerald uses a variety of literary devices to portray the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses colors to his advantage. One example is the green light that symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for a life with Daisy. Another is the Valley of the Ashes, which represents the ugly reality of America’s obsession with wealth, and time. He uses these symbols to convey the nature of the American Dream. To say that Gatsby’s dedication was tested would be an understatement. He is put down and not given his chance, but this doesn’t stop him or the fiery passion he has for his dreams. Gatsby and Daisy both promise a life together when he is released from the military. After he is released, Gatsby moves into a house on West Egg which is near Daisy’s place on East Egg. However, Daisy moves on and refuses to get with Gatsby. This would’ve been more than enough to dim if not destroy the green light in Gatsby’s conscious. However, this doesn’t stop him and will ultimately be his downfall. The colors in The Great Gatsby reveal the expressed idea of the American Dream and project theme within the characters and the lives they had. …show more content…

This color can be related with childhood, Fitzgerald describes Jordan’s childhood as “beautiful and white” (pg.32). Yellow, guiltiness, is portrayed through imagery such as, Daisy and Jordan wearing white dresses. However later in the novel those dresses slowly turn to yellow as their purities slowly diminished. The tragic events that occur in the Valley of Ashes are witnessed through the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, he who symbolizes God judging American society as a wasteland. This diminishing the American Dream, a main theme in The Great

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