Symbolism in the Great Gatsby

Symbolism is what makes a story complete. In "The Great Gatsby" Fitzgerald cleverly uses symbolism. Virtually anything in the novel can

be taken as a symbol, from the weather, to the colors of clothing the

characters wear. There are three main symbols used in The Great Gatsby, they are The East and West Egg, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, and the eyes of Dr.T.J. Eckleburg.

One of the most important symbols in the novel is class and social

standing. It is like a barrier for almost every character. East and West

Eggs act as a symbol of this by its physical makeup. Tom and Daisy live on the

East which is far more refined and consists of people with more money and

a higher social status. East Egg also represents the "old money." Nick and

Gatsby are on the West, which is for people who don't have any real

standing, even if they have money. The West Egg represents the "new money." The

green light shines from the East Egg to the West Egg luring Gatsby towards what

he has always wanted. And Daisy, the woman that Gatsby has always wanted but

never gets, lives on East Egg. There is also a barrier of water between

the two cities that keeps people like Daisy and Gatsby apart from one another

and keeps them from reaching their goals and what they want in life.

Another symbol used in the novel was colors. The first was the green

light. The light was only a light, however to Gatsby it becomes his dream

for the future. The light symbolizes hope and dream. The dream is Daisy.

Gatsby buys the house across the bay so he can see the Buchanan's light.

Later in the story when Gatsby has Daisy the importance of the light

diminishes. The color yellow in the story often represents death. Myrtle

dies after being hit by a yellow car. Another example of yellow

representing death is the scene just before Gatsby enters the pool, "He shook his head

and in a moment disappeared among the yellowing trees." This

shows that he was about to