Symbols Found in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald has long been appraised for being an exemplary novel and has been acclaimed for generations. In this 1920’s novel Fitzgerald uses many forms of figurative language to convey his thoughts and feelings. One important piece of figurative language that is used many times throughout the book is symbolism. Although there is a great deal of symbolism found in the novel three symbols stand out the most. The mysterious green light, the desolate Valley of Ashes, and the unsettling eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are all used to represent different ideas or qualities but they also coalesce to reinforce the main theme of the decline of the American Dream. Possibly one of the most famous examples of symbolism found in literature is the green light in The Great Gatsby. When Nick Carraway first sees Gatsby he
…show more content…
Located in between West Egg and New York City it is described as, “...a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke...” (Fitzgerald, 23), and the people, “...move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (Fitzgerald, 23). With this imagery the Valley of Ashes comes across as a desolate land where the inhabitants have lost their vitality. The valley is composed of the lower class who all want to escape the valley, poverty, but cannot. This shows how impossible it actually is to achieve the American Dream if they come from nothing. The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the downfall of those who were recklessly pursuing wealth with nothing but their own greed in mind. The valley can also symbolize hopelessness. A good example of this would be George Wilson who is characterized as a, “...spiritless man” (Fitzgerald, 25). He has given up on advancing in society for he thinks that he could never do better than what he already
Located in between West Egg and New York City it is described as, “...a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke...” (Fitzgerald, 23), and the people, “...move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (Fitzgerald, 23). With this imagery the Valley of Ashes comes across as a desolate land where the inhabitants have lost their vitality. The valley is composed of the lower class who all want to escape the valley, poverty, but cannot. This shows how impossible it actually is to achieve the American Dream if they come from nothing. The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the downfall of those who were recklessly pursuing wealth with nothing but their own greed in mind. The valley can also symbolize hopelessness. A good example of this would be George Wilson who is characterized as a, “...spiritless man” (Fitzgerald, 25). He has given up on advancing in society for he thinks that he could never do better than what he already