symbolism in the great gatsby
The Great Gatsby is rich in symbolism, which is portrayed on several different levels in a variety of ways. One of the most important qualities of symbolism within this novel, is the way in which it is integrated into the plot and structure. Some of the symbols are used mostly as tools for characterization such as Gatsby's huge library of uncut books. Other symbols such as Gatsby's car, symbolizing material wealth in America and its destructfulness. However, the major symbols such as the valley of ashes, the green light, and the east and west, are filled with meanings that go beyond the plot, and truly capture Fitzgerald's theme of this novel; The corruption of the American dream. The corruptive effect of wealth is shown by the conflict between the established rich, represented by the East Eggers, and the newly rich, represented by the West Eggers. West Egg is the home of "new money" those who have made huge fortunes, but lack the traditions associated with inherited wealth and is therefore vulgar. "You live in West Egg," she remarked contemptuously." (Fitzgerald, 11). The East Eggers, represented by the Buchanans
Overlooking the valley, are the sightless eyes of T. The valley of ashes represents a modern world, which is like a grotesque hell created by modern industry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------**Bibliography**. The green light symbolically corresponds to the "green breast of a New World," and at the end fuses Gatsby's vision of Daisy with that of the explorers who had discovered the promise of a new continent. The green light was Gatsby's vision of "go", that is was finally his chance to win the girl. It represents a God who has been created by modern society to make money. You may fool me, but you can't fool God. He sends over a selection of things at the beginning of each season, spring and fall. "And I said 'God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. Daisy, Tom, Nick, Jordan, and Gatsby all were westerners, and by moving east, they moved from a world of values to a moral vacuum. " He took out a pile of shirts and began throwing them, one by one, before us, shirts of sheer linen and thick silk and fine flannel, which lost their folds as they fell and covered the table in a many-colored disarray. When the settlers came to the "New World" (America) to escape persecution and the corruption of their countries, they traveled from east to west.
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