At the beginning of the story, the green light symbolizes hope, but at the end of the story, it symbolizes wealth ruining that hope. These things are exactly what Gatsby wants. (Msu.Įdu) The color “green” is the color of wealth, hope, and renewal. (Kazin, 31) Fitzgerald compares the green light to the discovery of America with the phrase, “green breast of the new world.” (Fitzgerald, 115) Gatsby wished to rediscover Daisy as explorers discovered America.
Gatsby thought he wanted wealth, but in reality, he wanted to buy back the happiness he lost when Daisy married a rich man, Tom Buchanan. He can only stare at them, hoping that one day, he will be accepted and he will be with Daisy. The bay symbolically separates Gatsby from his desires. Gatsby stares at that green light, which is perched on Daisy and Tom’s dock, from his mansion across the bay. (Mangum, 514) This is why the green light shines from the East Egg. This means Gatsby’s longings for acceptance, money and success, and of course, his longing for Daisy. The overall symbolism of the green light is Gatsby’s wants. The green light symbolizes one thing that can be interpreted into many. Major symbols include the green light, the eyes of T.J Eckleburg, the East and West Egg, the valley of ashes, and the loss of the American Dream. This sad story has deep meanings, meanings that have withstood the test of time and are still relevant today, including symbolism.
Myrtle’s husband wrongly thinks that Gatsby was Myrtle’s lover, shoots Gatsby dead, then shoots himself.Īfter Gatsby’s funeral, Nick moves back to the Midwest, disgusted by the people in New York and how money can change people. Gatsby takes the blame and Tom is all too happy to report to Myrtle’s husband that Gatsby was, indeed, driving. However, on their way, they drive through the valley of ashes and discover that Gatsby’s car hit Myrtle, only Daisy was driving. Things turn sour when Tom finds out that Gatsby and Daisy love each other and insists that the himself, Jordan and Nick drive to New York to confront Gatsby. While this is happening, Tom is also having an affair, with Myrtle Wilson. Gatsby and Daisy are reunited, thanks to Nick, and begin an affair. Over on the East Egg, Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom also live quite lavishly, however, they do not flaunt their money like Gatsby does. Nick Carraway, from the Midwest, moves to the West Egg, buying a house next door to Jay Gatsby, a man who lives in a mansion that is famous for hosting lavish parties. Restate Thesis The Great Gatsby is the story of the wealthy who live in the East and West Egg on Long Island, New York, and the crimes that tear their friendships apart. Selfish Crimes Are Not Judged and Go Unpunished 2. Major symbols include the green light, the eyes of T.J Eckleburg, the East and West Egg, the valley of ashes, and the loss of the American Dream.Ī.