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Symbol Analysis Great Gatsby

Domnica Ordez
English 11
April 8, 2013

The Green Light

The greatest is in the smallest details. In most books: colors, minuscule
objects, or even single words, cover some of the deeper reflections and messages from
the story. The green light in The Great Gatsby represents dreams and hope. More
specifically, it represents the American dream. Primarily, it embodies the longing for
a fantasy, and the courage to follow its direction. The green color also promises a
future, pervading the present with faith. Finally, this symbol counts with a
pronounced complexity, for it is not only a stimulus, but also a warning sign.
In this fantastic Fitzgeralds work the green light appears the first time that
Nick sees Gatsby. Nick describes the scene in this passage I could have sworn he
was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward and distinguished nothing except a
single green light, minute and far away (Fitzgerald, 1925, p.21) It is substantial that
this symbol appears at the same time Gatsby does. The author of the book utilizes it as
a method to describe the character, for the green light represents Gatsbys goals,
inspirations and desires. The last two words of the quote reveal Gatsbys distance
from this dream <<far away>>. The wish is presented as aloof and difficult to reach,
and Gatsby is desolate in its pursuit. More immersed in the novel, there is a clearer
perception of the green light. The plot drives the reader to Jays past, which reveals
the real nature of the symbol. It embodies Daisy, the woman that Gatsby loves. Daisy is
not only Jays happiness and adoration, but it also represents status and wealth. The
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green light is the American Dream, because Daisy constituted the change of Gatsbys
farmer life to one of recognition and fortune. Daisy and Gatsby were together in his
younger years, so Gatsbys dreamed future is actually focused on the past.
Additionally, the green light also relates to the color in the streetlights that commands
not to stop, in this case, eliciting Gatsby to follow Daisy. This analogy gets more
accurate. Moving in the streets requires a car; in the same way, Gatsby needs a
meretricious automobile, a big house and tons of money to call Daisys attention.
Finally, the green light is also a cautionary sign, because it is part of a lighthouse to
guide boats. Even thought the green light distracts the marines, it prevents them from
a crush following its direction. The same happens with dreams; the obsessions absorb
people, yet sometimes it would be a mistake to chase them. Gatsby has a peremptory
decision to follow his longing, however he can lose his entire life by focusing on it. The
metaphor of the boats, is once again seen in this quote: Gatsby believed in the green
light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but
thats no mattertomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. And then
one fine morning So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly
into the past (Fitzgerald, 1925, p.180). In this fragment, it is explained that Gatsbys
dream is to go against time, impossible and dangerous, but he will keep the hope alive.
To conclude, the green light in The Great Gatsby represents the pursuit for
the American dream. It is the longing of love, status and wealth. It encourages Gatsby
to follow his desire, yet it is also an admonition that prevents them to commit
mistakes.

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Bibliography:
Fitzgerald, S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. New York; Scribner.