Q9. Fitzgerald Use of Symbolism
Fitzgerald has used symbolism throughout the novel to represent and comprehend the various themes in it. The use of several instances of symbolism in the novel has been shown by the different ways and transitions through which the novel flows. The symbols make meaning that is in line with the characters that have been used in the novel.
One of the first symbols used at the start of the novel is the Valley of Ashes, “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens.” The Valley of Ashes symbol is used to introduce the nature setting of the novel. The ashes are used symbolically to show areas that are very dangerous to the survival of human beings. The valley is described as a region of the hopeless people because the valley appears dark and lifeless. Myrtle Wilson dies at the valley of ashes indicating the danger that is associated with the valley. The fact that Wilson stays in that valley indicates that Wilson comes from a penniless background that is different from the rest of the people in the novel. The way Wilson is described in the novel shows the nature of his character. Grey is associated with lifelessness and colorlessness given the fact that the color of ash is grey. As readers, we are not surprised when he appears with a gun ready to kill (Einem and Barske).
The nature of the movement of the Americans from West to East is very symbolic in passing the theme of change. This movement refers to the movement to the Valley Ashes, which is deemed as the land without morals, where people with materialistic desires are thriving. The American society is moving to the East where corruption and the desire for wealth are the basic motives driving the Valley of Ashes. Tom and Daisy have changed destinations severally, before they eventually move to the East Egg. The theme of change has been symbolized by the transition of the name of Gatsby to a name that he felt could bring him closer to God. Gatsby undergoes all these changes in order to win Daisy.
The eyes of Doctor T. J have been used symbolically in the novel. In chapter two, the eyes have been used to represent the desire for wealth and the changes that have been in advertising. Later in the other part of the novel, the eyes change their meaning. The eyes represent the nature of God’s eyes taking total care of the wasteland on earth.
But above the grey land and the spasms of bleak dust, which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment the eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg are blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles that pass over nonexistent.
George Wilson confirms the use of the Doctor’s eyes as being symbolic. After seeing the death of his wife, he refers to the Doctor’s eyes as those eyes of God watching over him in the Valley of ashes, the lifeless land. One aspect to note in this quote is that Wilson is a non-religious man, but affirms that the eyes of Doctor are very symbolic in the novel.
Yellow is one of the colors used symbolically to represent death, ‘’He shook his head and in a moment disappeared among the yellowing trees.” Just before Gatsby entered into the pool, he got disturbed and shook his head when he was faced with danger. In the above quote, it is an indicator that he was about to die like the leaves of the trees. Also in the valley, Myrtle is hit by a yellow car and dies. The yellow color shows the several instances of death in the novel that faces the characters. The yellow cocktail music and the two thin girls in yellow dresses represent a kind of unlikable characters. The yellow dressed girls are not as alluring as the golden ones. This comparison depicts the nature of the yellow color as the most unlikable and something that people could not love to associate themselves (Shmoop Editorial Team).
The green light has been used symbolically in the novel, “Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away….” The green light in this sense represents the nature of the American dream the desire for wealth that is far away from the reality. Gatsby has a lot of hope in gaining back the love that he has with Daisy. Essentially green is used in the novel to represent hope, promise and renewal. Daisy was a woman from a high-class family and every man in the society wished to get her. Gatsby materialist nature and wealth was able to win the love of Daisy but later on, he loses her. Tom Buchanan marries Daisy, and Gatsby does not lose hope. He struggles so much to get her back by carrying out a series of business, which were illegal. He struggles all in the name of getting back to Daisy. Daisy is controlling Gatsby completely; she is like a traffic light where if Gatsby wants to drive the direction of the green light, he has to use his money and buy a car. Finally, Gatsby manages to win Daisy, and they get back together (123HelpMe.com).
The automobiles have been used symbolically to represent the status quo of the actors irrespective of their knowledge of the cars. The people who use these cars do not care how to use them properly; they just use it to show off. “I know very little about driving- next to nothing.” The quote gives a clear understanding on the nature of the accidents that are witnessed in the novel. It all came from poor driving like the one that caused the death of Myrtle. Nick is also involved in a road accident after the first party that they attended. The nature of the accident gives a picture of the impending bad things that are to come along the novel. The automobiles also symbolize the materialistic nature of the American society. The kind of transition that is experienced in the automotive industry with a series of companies developing new inventions and different cars are developed. The cars were also painted in colors that are unusual to make them unique and specific to the needs of the owner. For instance, the yellow car that caused the accident, and Tom’s car was blue.
In conclusion, use of symbols in the novel is in the center control of the plot. The symbols used are very much associated with the nature of the characters and the kind of places referred to in the novel. The symbols have contributed to the comprehension of the themes in the novel.
Works Cited
Einem, C. and K. Barske. The Great Gatsby. 24 November 2014 <http://www.ovtg.de/3_arbeit/englisch/gatsby/Symbols.html>.
Shmoop Editorial Team. Colors in The Great Gatsby. 11 November 2008. 24 November 2014 <https://essayshark.com/writer/orders/13974854.html>.
