Color Interpretations in The Great Gatsby Essay - 1302 Words

Discovering hidden messages in a novel compares to solving a puzzle or finding hidden treasure. Underlying symbols appear in many works of literature and lead the reader forward to discover the deeper substance of a character. In The Great Gatsby, Francis Scott Fitzgerald uses subtle tones and clues to tell readers more about a character. These signs aid the reader in revealing the meaning of certain situations and clearing up any confusion. Colors contribute much to explain the unconscious thoughts of characters and explain the characters’ essences. The color green often shows up in The Great Gatsby, mostly as the color of Daisy Buchanan’s dock light. From the location of Jay Gatsby’s house, this light is visible. Readers probably know†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Fitzgerald 5). This quote describes Nick Carraway’s first view of East Egg and shows the difference between old money and West Egg, the new money. The color white represents a state of purity and perfection but as readers may notice, not everything results in excellence. Upon seeing the Buchanans’ house, Nick says, â€Å"Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay† (Fitzgerald 6). Readers will later figure out that red actually signifies conflict and frustration that comes with Tom Buchanan’s shameful affair with Myrtle Wilson. When Tom breaks Myrtles nose and she bleeds, the crimson blood makes an example of a situation representing a tense and rocky moment. The traffic light idea brings the reader back to the thought of stopping and ending the relationship where it stands. Daisy and Tom continue attempt to live their lives purely and faithfully, but visibly, readers see that the signs of red damage their relationship. Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, lives in a garage in the valley of ashes, with her husband, George Wilson. Described to be gray, the valley of ashes appears to be an area of poverty and moral decay. This could mean that Tom comes to the valley of ashes and because there are no morals, he acts freely with whomever he desires. Nick narrates that theShow MoreRelated Use of Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay1326 Words   |  6 Pagesliterary merit. In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbols to portray events, feelings, personalities and time periods. Throughout the narrative, Fitzgerald uses strong contrasting symbols such as West Egg and East Egg. His superior use of other predominant symbols such as color and light are also evident throughout the novel. The story begins as the narrator, Nick Carraway, describes his arrival to West Egg. One can immediately spot new-money Gatsby and no-money Nick on one sideRead MoreGreat Gatsby Color Symbolism Essay748 Words   |  3 PagesIn Fitzgerald’s â€Å"The Great Gatsby†, color symbolism is used throughout the entire book. There are many different colors that allow the book to come together as a whole. Although various, there are key colors that stand out in the book. There can be many different interpretations or opinions on which colors, but it can be represented by three key colors. The color symbolism in â€Å"The Great Gatsby† is represented by the colors green, gold, and black. The color green is the color that begins the storyRead MoreColor Symbolism In The Great Gatsby802 Words   |  4 Pages In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, color symbolism is stronger throughout the entire book. There are multiple colors that allow the book to come together as a whole. There can be many different interpretations or opinions on which colors are important. The color symbolism in The Great Gatsby is represented by the colors green, gold, and black. Green is the color that begins the story. A man not known in the beginning, but surely known at end by the name of Jay Gatsby, reaching out to an â€Å"incorruptibleRead MoreThe Importance Of The Great Gatsby Essay1687 Words   |  7 Pagesas well as enjoyable. The Great Gatsby is an essential book for all high school students because allows for students to engage in the text through the use of symbolism, it educates students about the different influences of the 1920’s, and instills many important lessons to students that are applicable to any point in time. In F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway, the narrator, moves to New York and becomes neighbors with the mysterious Jay Gatsby who once had a love affairRead MoreColors in The Great Gatsby758 Words   |  3 Pages Colors are very apparent in The Great Gatsby. They often show up as descriptions to many important items throughout the book, and make those items resemble symbols. The color white confuses the reader, and often causes him/her to rethink their logic. It describes false purity and deception within something, which is very apparent in the character Daisy in this novel. The color grey gives the reader a comparison, and that is of humans to machines. Something that is lifeless is described as grey.Read MoreUse of Color in The Great Gatsby Essay572 Words   |  3 Pagessymbolism and colors in The Great Gatsby is prominent in every chapter of his novel.nbsp; To fully understand the meaning of his color use, a reader must recognize the situations in which these colors are used.nbsp; Throughout the novel Fitzgerald uses the color green.nbsp; Green has many possible interpretations, and its’ use to reveal insight into Gatsby’s character is probably the most meaningful. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; One possible meaning of the color green is envy.nbsp; Gatsby can be seen asRead MoreEssay on Symbolism on the Great Gatsby1179 Words   |  5 Pagespleasant meaning. A symbol such as â€Å"color† or â€Å"money† can be less complex than it seems. Whereas a symbol as complicated as the â€Å"eye† can mean more than it’s suggested for. Throughout The Great Gatsby symbolism represent color, the existence of eyes and money. The color symbolism is repetitive throughout the novel. The colors represent the different characters personality and their actions. An important symbolic color in The Great Gatsby is the green light. The color green itself is associated withRead More Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay1207 Words   |  5 PagesSymbolism in The Great Gatsby       Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby has more relevance in today’s society than it did when it was written. With the recent societal trend that emphasizes lack of morals and material wealth over a meaningful existence, Fitzgerald’s message really hits home. Which is more important - money or love? Social status or being true to oneself? Fitzgerald uses metaphor and symbols to great effect in order to illustrate what can happen when the pursuit of happinessRead More Use of Metaphor, Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay1307 Words   |  6 PagesUse of Metaphor and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby      Ã‚     Some novels have more of an impact in modern society than when they were originally written. This is especially true with Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Modern society can be termed corrupt, complete with tainted morals and an overemphasis on the acquisition of money and friends. Fitzgerald seeks the root of the problem and wants the reader to ponder whether he or she wants money and social status or fulfillment and truth. In his questRead MoreThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 980 Words   |  4 Pagesassociated with Gatsby’s dream. Readers are first introduced to the green light near the very beginning of the novel; it is located at the end of Daisy’s dock. Nick, the narrator of the novel, sees Gatsby peculiarly reaching out towards the water, so curiously, Nick goes to further observe what Gatsby is looking at and he sees ...nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock (25). The green light is a representation of Gatsby’s hopes and dreams