The Great Gatsby: Theme & Key Quotes: Memory

Theme: Memory in The Great Gatsby

Key Quotes & Analysis

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter — tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms out farther…“ This quote illustrates Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of the past. The ‘green light’ is a symbol for his nostalgic longing and desperate aspiration to repeat the past with Daisy.
“Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can! He looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadows of his house, just out of reach of his hand.” Gatsby’s adamant belief to ‘repeat the past’ signifies his inability to move on. He fails to understand that memories are unalterable.
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The closing lines of the novel encapsulate the struggle of clinging on to the past. The metaphor of being ‘boats against the current’ underlines the resistance and inability of characters to let go of their past.

Significance of Memory in Character Development

The past holds a significant role in molding Gatsby’s character. His past liaison with Daisy and his aspiration to recreate it becomes his overriding ambition.
Daisy, too, is trapped in her past. Her momentary lapse into a romantic reminiscence with Gatsby indicates her fond memories of their past relationship, yet she chooses the comfort of her present life with Tom.
Nick’s narrative logs the story from his memory which makes it subjective, highlighting the theme of the reliability of memory and how it impacts understanding and interpretation of events.

Connections to relevant themes

The theme of memory is closely tied to The American Dream. Gatsby’s memory of his prosperous, abundant, romantic past with Daisy is tied intrinsically to his dream of attaining wealth and status to win her back.
The theme of illusion vs. reality is also linked to memory. Gatsby’s magnified memory of his past with Daisy contradicts the harsh reality of her present temperament and priorities.
Memory also relates to social class. Gatsby’s humble past and his metamorphosis into a wealthy figure serves as a stark difference between two classes and their interactions.