Symbols in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses various symbols to deepen the themes of the novel and emphasize the moral decay of society during the Jazz Age. Each symbol in the book reflects the characters' desires, dreams, and the harsh realities of their lives.

The Green Light

The green light represents Gatsby’s hope for a future with her, a symbol of his desire for wealth, status, and the American Dream. It stands as a beacon of hope for Gatsby, but also symbolizes unattainable dreams and the disillusionment of the American Dream itself. It ultimately reflects Gatsby's realization that his dreams cannot be realized, as they are based on an illusion.

The Valley of Ashes

The Valley of Ashes is a desolate, industrial wasteland between East Egg and West Egg, where the lower class lives, epitomized by the Wilson family. It symbolizes the moral decay and the stark contrast between the world of the rich and the poor. The Valley is a place of hopelessness, representing how individuals like George Wilson, who works tirelessly yet remains impoverished, are unable to achieve the American Dream. It’s a reflection of the emptiness of the pursuit of wealth at any cost.

The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, a billboard overlooking the Valley of Ashes, are often interpreted as the eyes of God, watching over the characters’ moral failings. For George Wilson, they symbolize a higher power’s awareness of Myrtle’s infidelity, even though he doesn’t directly witness it. The eyes represent a loss of moral direction, as society is caught in the pursuit of material success, ignoring the deeper consequences of their actions.

Gatsby’s Mansion

Gatsby’s mansion is symbolic of his wealth, dreams, and his inner emptiness. The house represents Gatsby’s desire to impress Daisy and prove that he has achieved the American Dream. However, the vastness and opulence of the mansion also highlight his loneliness. It is filled with material wealth but lacks emotional fulfillment, embodying the emptiness behind the dream of success and the illusion that wealth can buy happiness.

The Name Daisy

The name Daisy is itself symbolic. The daisy flower is yellow and white. White is traditionally associated with innocence, while yellow can symbolize decay and corruption. Daisy, initially seen as innocent, is revealed to be morally compromised. She embodies the false purity and superficiality of the wealthy, a character who lacks ethical values and is willing to betray others for her comfort and desires.

East Egg and West Egg

The divide between East Egg and West Egg represents the social and class divisions of the time. East Egg is the home of the established, “old money” families, like the Buchanans, who live in inherited wealth and privilege. West Egg, on the other hand, is the home of the newly rich, like Gatsby and Nick. This geographical distinction symbolizes the tension between old wealth and new wealth, with East Egg representing tradition and elitism, while West Egg represents the ambition and materialism of new money.

Gatsby’s Shirts from Italy

Gatsby’s shirts symbolize his wealth and the materialism that pervades his world. When Daisy breaks down upon seeing the shirts, it reveals her shallow character—she is emotionally moved not by Gatsby’s love, but by his material success. The shirts reflect Gatsby’s desire to show Daisy how far he has come, but they also expose his lack of social refinement. His clothes, expensive and foreign, indicate his new money status, and his inability to truly understand the emotional weight of relationships.

Gatsby’s Funeral

The fact that only three people attend Gatsby’s funeral despite his lavish parties and social popularity is a tragic irony. This stark contrast between his vibrant social life and his lonely death underscores the emptiness of his wealth and the superficiality of the world he inhabited. Gatsby’s funeral symbolizes his alienation from the upper class and the realization that, despite his material success, he never truly belonged. It is a poignant commentary on the emptiness of social status and wealth in the pursuit of happiness.

In conclusion, Fitzgerald's use of symbolism in The Great Gatsby enhances the novel's themes of disillusionment, social stratification, and the moral decay of society. These symbols not only reflect the desires and dreams of the characters but also critique the hollow nature of the American Dream during the Jazz Age.