The Great Gatsby: Symbolism

Introduction to Symbolism:

Symbolism is a vital narrative device employed by F. Scott Fitzgerald in his novel The Great Gatsby. Symbols are objects, characters or colours used to represent deeper, more complex ideas.

Key Symbols in the Novel:

Green Light: A symbol of Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future, it represents his love for Daisy and his desire to recreate the past.
The Valley of Ashes: A desolate wasteland symbolising moral and social decay, resulting from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth.
Eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg: The billboard with Eckleburg’s glasses signifies God’s diminishing role in the 1920s America and it watches over the decay of values brought about by materialistic pursuits.
East and West Egg: These two regions are symbols of the divide between old money and new wealth, proving that though the two are financially equivalent, they differ significantly in social prestige.

Symbolism and Themes:

The green light is symbolic of the general theme of aspiration. It accentuates the idea of the American dream, Gatsby’s pursuit of which ultimately leads to his downfall.
The Valley of Ashes links to the theme of corruption and decay, illustrating the destructive consequences of materialistic excess.
The Eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg correlate to the theme of moral disillusionment and societal decay. They reflect how society has turned a blind eye to morality in its quest for material prosperity.
East and West Egg are symbols that highlight the theme of social stratification and disparity, signifying how wealth classes function and the impossibility of crossing class lines.

Interpretation of Symbolism in Quotes:

“He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling.” This quote symbolises Gatsby’s yearning for the green light, his infatuation with Daisy and the American Dream.
“This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens.” This quote uses the symbol of the Valley of Ashes to depict the grotesque and stark reality that exists beneath the glamor and decadence of the Roaring Twenties.
“But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.” The symbol of the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg is evidenced in this quote, watching over the moral decay of society.
“I lived at West Egg, the – well, the less fashionable of the two.” This quote highlights the symbolic divide between East Egg and West Egg, suggesting the social chasm between the nouveau riche and the traditional aristocracy.