Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Essay

Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

The famous poet Maya Angelou once said Words mean more than what is set down on paper, It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning. An example of a written work that possess a greater meaning is the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It is about a man named Nick Carraway who encounters a mysterious, wealthy individual by the name of Jay Gatsby. Gatsby dedicates his whole life to the married Daisy Buchanan, and his desparity to be with her leads to his own demise. Fitzgerald uses symbols such as the eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg, the green light, and the Valley of Ashes to add to the dimension of depth in the novel .

The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of a gloomy land that posses a feeling of decay. Most noticeably, As Nick describes the area between West Egg and New York, he states, This is a Valley of Ashes--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). The word grotesque connotates the distorted appearance of the valley of ashes. Fitzgerald associates ashes with this land, which gives his audience the idea of a dull, gray landscape. The Vally of Ashes symbolizes the lifelesness of the people that live there. Furthermore Nick continues to illustrate the Valley of Ashes, he says, The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and, when the drawbridge is up to let barges through the passangers waiting, trains can stare at the dismal scene (Fitzgerald 24). The words foul and dismal presents the area with a sort of desolate aura. Ashes are the remains of something that once existed. The dark, gray, dirty facade of the valley of ashes produces the feeling of desperation that Gatsby lives, trying to reproduce the past. Gatsby dreams to be wealthy as well as someday being with Daisy.

Likewise, Fitzgerald uses the Eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg to represent an all-seeing God. As seen in the story, when Nick observes the billboard that overlooks the Valley of Ashes, he states, But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you percieve, after a moment the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg... (Fitzgerald 23). Fitzgerald depicts a picture of eyes looking over the valley of ashes. The fact that this billboard is above all the land and people creates a sense of a higher prsenese. The eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg percieve all the events in the Valley of Ashes just as God is supposedly up in heaven and has the ability to see what goes in the World.

In addition, As Wilson speaks to Michaelis about the eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg, he utters, God sees everything (Fitzgerald 160). At this moment Wilson releases his angst to Michaelis and directly relates God with the eyes on the billboard. The eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg are significantly omniscent in that they scrutinize all the immoral scene that is the Valley of Ashes. Much like God as a higher presense that witness all the sins of humans; the eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg are able tosee everything.

Another symbol Fitzgerald incorporates is the green light that not only signifies Gastbys dream of being with Daisy but also the desire to have wealth also known as the America Dream. For instance, As Nick glances and sees Gatsby near the lake, he says, Gatsby stretched his arms towards the dark water in a curious way.Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of the dock (Fitzgerald 21). The green light is extremely sentimental to Gatsby. Gatsby positions his hand in a way that reveals his obsession toward this green light. The light symbolizes the hope of Gatsy being with Daisy, the love of his life. The hope that drives Gatsby to achieve his dream is similar to what encourages people to attain the American Dream. Furthermore, As Nick looks back on Gatsbys life, he says, Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. (Fitzgerald 180). Nick explains how obtaining the green light is Gatsbys idealistic future. The green light is what he believes in throughout the whole story until his death and this ultimate objective is re-living his relationship with Daisy. People who long for the American Dream will do anything in their power to achieve it, just like Gatsby tries achieve his dream by attempting to re-live the past.

Fitzgerald employs many symbols in the story to reinforce his ideas about American Life. The application of symbols in the novel expands the meaning of what Fitzgerald is trying to explicate. In the Valley of Ashes, readers identify a land filled with decay and corruption that mirrors 1920s American society. Also, the eyes of Dr. T.J Eckleburg watching the Valley of Ashes are parallel to the eyes of God monitoring the corruption of America in the 1920s. Fitzgerald expresses American ideals through green light. He points out Americas aspiration for money and wealth by the green light symbolizing the American Dream. By indirectly implicating symbols throughout the story, he assert specific thoughts in the interest of showing the world his personal views on the 1920s.