In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a variety of symbols to convey themes such as the American Dream, social class, and the passage of time. Some of the most notable symbols include:
- The Green Light: Located at the end of Daisy’s dock, the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s unattainable dream of being with Daisy, as well as the larger idea of the American Dream itself. It represents hope, ambition, and the illusion of possibility, but also the idea that the dream is always just out of reach.
- The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg: These faded eyes on a billboard overlooking the valley of ashes are often seen as a symbol of the moral and spiritual decay of society. They can also represent the idea of God’s watching gaze, suggesting a loss of moral compass in the pursuit of wealth and status.
- The Valley of Ashes: This desolate area between West Egg and New York City symbolizes the moral and social decay hidden beneath the glittering surface of the wealthy elite. It represents the forgotten, working class that is exploited in the pursuit of wealth.
- The Color Yellow/Gold: These colors are associated with wealth, materialism, and the superficial allure of Gatsby’s world, contrasting with the emptiness behind the glamour.
These symbols together deepen the novel’s exploration of disillusionment, ambition, and the hollowness of the American Dream.