The Great Gatsby
In the classic novel, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses a great amount of concrete symbolism to add depth to the story. There are four different areas where the story takes place: East Egg, West Egg, New York City, and the valley of ashes. The different houses located in each area represent the various lives of the people who live there. Tom and Daisy Buchanan live in East Egg in "a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay."(11) Their house symbolizes their stable wealth and boring lives. East Egg is nicknamed "Old Money" because it is where the older generation lives in spacious and secluded west homes. The people who live there have had their money for many years and know how to spend it wisely. Nick Carraway lives in West Egg, "the less fashionable of the two"(9). It is nicknamed "New Money" because it is where the younger generation lives. West Egg is more laid back and is closer connected to reality. It is full of romance as well as dispute and deceitfulness. Tom describes his house as “an eye sore that [has] been overlooked.”(9-10) This describes his personality because throughout the book, Nick is mainly a spectator of the action. He is rarely found in the . . .
It shows how dishonest their lives are behind the illusion of wealth and happiness. ”(9) Gatsby’s mansion represents how he is not happy only being wealthy. Eckleburg sees everything silently, yet clearly acts as the conscious of the characters. This symbolizes how the importance of God in the characters’ lives is slowly diminishing. Ocassionally, a car will drive through and the ashes from the ground will stir up and a cloud of grey will form. Gatsby makes up lies and creates an imaginary life, which everyone believes to be true. ”(27) This is where George Wilson and his wife Myrtle live very unhappily. The cloud represents confusion in the world and how someone can get caught up in his or her lies. They are so caught up in greed and power, that there is no room for God in their lives. George is very poor and owns a low business garage-- Repairs. Eckleburg are used as a symbol of God's judgment of the world. God sees through the illusion of the "American Dream" and sees the character's real corrupted lives.
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