Symbolism In The Great Gatsby
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Symbolism is really popular in novels written during the 1920s. One such example is F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby. There is a lot of symbolism in this novel, but there are three main examples that stand out more than the others. The color green, the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg, and East and West Egg, influence the story greatly. These examples of symbolism show many thoughts, ideas, attitudes, and choices that the characters have throughout the story.
The color green, as it is used in the novel, symbolizes different choices the character Jay Gatsby can make during his life. The green aspect in this novel is taken from the green light at the end of the dock close to Daisys house. The color itself signifies stillness, symbolizing that everything is wonderful. This informs Gatsby that he should not chase his dream for getting Daisy back, because his chance has passed and everything is as it should be. This is exposed with Nicks thought, “His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him (Pg.189)”
In this novel there seems to be no fear of consequence, of judgment. In this case, who is judging? That is what the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are for. These eyes are from a billboard that appears over Wilsons garage. The eyes are always mentioned whenever Nick is there. They look over the situation, neutrally, but offer judgment on the characters and their actions. They are placed near Wilsons garage because that is where some of the most egotistical acts take place: Myrtles death, Toms affair. All of these crimes go unpunished. So the eyes look on and remind the characters of the guilt that they fail to remember to have for what they have done.
“The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose.”
This is a quote from Nick Carraway, the narrator of the story, and the tone of Jay Gatsby. Dr. Eckelburg is established at this point. He takes on a reflection of a human form, which is characterized many times throughout the novel, and that of a Godlike figure.
One of the most important themes in the novel is class and social status. It is an obstacle for almost every character. East and West Egg signify a symbol of the novels extreme materialism in every character. Tom and Daisy live on the East which is far more sophisticated and well bred. Nick and Gatsby are on the West, which is for people