The employment of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 'The Great Gatsby' plays a pivotal role in conveying underlying themes, reflecting on the societal decadence and ideological crisis prevalent during the 1920s in America. This analysis will dissect key symbolic elements to unravel the intertwined narratives of aspiration, disillusionment, and moral bankruptcy against the backdrop of the American Dream.
The green light, discernible from Gatsby’s mansion and situated at the end of Daisy's dock, materializes as a perpetual symbol of unfulfilled dreams and insurmountable distances. Gatsby is perpetually observed, stretching out towards it, emblematic of his unrelenting pursuit of an idealized version of the American Dream, encapsulated by wealth, success, and the reclaiming of a lost love. The incessant allure of the green light symbolizes the eternally elusive nature of Gatsby’s dreams, continually propelling him forward yet forever out of reach, reflecting the broader societal pursuit of materialistic fulfillment and existential purpose. [1]
The Valley of Ashes stands as a potent symbol of societal decay and the moral and spiritual bankruptcy that permeates the world Fitzgerald portrays. Situated between the affluence of East and West Egg and the bustling prosperity of New York City, the Valley of Ashes embodies the detritus of a society obsessed with wealth and material success. It is a wasteland that mirrors the desolation and ethical decay lurking beneath the surface of luxurious lifestyles and unbridled opulence. The lives of the working class, represented by characters like George and Myrtle Wilson, are stifled by the ashes of a society that exalts wealth and discards moral values. [2]
The imposing billboard featuring the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, situated within the Valley of Ashes, operates as a symbol that intertwines themes of divine surveillance, moral judgement, and societal neglect. The lifeless eyes overlook a society veering towards moral disintegration, acting as a constant, silent sentinel amidst the decaying landscape, seemingly passing unspoken judgement on the characters and their actions. They reflect a godlike omnipresence observing the moral decay with an unyielding stare, posing a silent critique of a society lost to materialism and devoid of spiritual integrity. [3]
Fitzgerald adroitly employs the automobile as a dual symbol, representing both the status and destructive power innate within the pursuit of the American Dream. Vehicles in the novel are not merely modes of transportation but indicators of social rank, wealth, and modernity. Moreover, they symbolize the callousness of the elite, with accidents and carelessness in driving reflecting moral recklessness and irresponsibility. The culmination of this symbolic motif is the tragic death of Myrtle Wilson, an event that underscores the ruinous and lethal consequences of reckless pursuits and moral decay among the privileged.
The moment when Gatsby knocks over the clock in Nick Carraway’s house, whilst awaiting his reunion with Daisy, introduces a compelling symbol regarding temporality and the illusion of recapturing the past. Gatsby’s desperate attempt to stop the clock from falling signifies his futile struggle against time and his doomed aspiration to resurrect a lost era. His obsession with reconstructing a bygone reality—represented by his love for Daisy—is ultimately shattered, much like the clock, reflecting the inevitability of temporal progression and the impossibility of reviving a vanished world. This symbol permeates the novel, underscoring the tragedy of Gatsby’s journey.
Gatsby’s colossal mansion emerges as a symbol rich in implications regarding wealth, loneliness, and the artificiality embedded in material pursuits. The mansion, while embodying wealth and luxury, is paradoxically a space of profound isolation and symbolic of Gatsby’s internal emptiness. Its splendid opulence is marred by an inherent artificiality, exemplified by the ostentatious parties that, while vibrant and lively, are void of genuine camaraderie or joy. The mansion, hence, stands as a poignant metaphor for Gatsby himself – a facade of success and vitality concealing a core of loneliness and unfulfilled desires.
The distinct settings of East Egg and West Egg serve as essential symbols to expound upon the themes of wealth, moral values, and the disjunction between old and new money. East Egg, inhabited by established wealthy families with historical affluence and social standing, symbolizes the traditional, entrenched upper class. In contrast, West Egg, where new wealth individuals like Gatsby reside, embodies the nouveau riche, whose fortunes are recently acquired, often through dubious means. This geographic dichotomy not only underscores disparities in wealth and social status but also highlights varying degrees of moral corruption and authenticity within these disparate social spheres. [4]
The lavish, decadent parties thrown by Gatsby throughout the summer embody symbols of excess, escapism, and emotional desolation. Though seemingly festive and opulent, they reflect the hollowness and spiritual bankruptcy lurking beneath the era's prosperous surface. Attendees, mostly strangers to Gatsby, immerse themselves in reckless revelry, embodying a collective desire to escape the mundane through indulgence. Despite the superficial joviality, the parties are essentially void of genuine happiness or connection, highlighting the paradox of isolation amid crowds and mirroring the broader societal pursuit of ephemeral pleasures and disconnection from authentic emotional experiences. [5]
Fitzgerald meticulously employs colors as symbolic constructs, with each hue weaving intricate meanings and perceptions. White, often associated with purity and innocence, is frequently attributed to Daisy, yet paradoxically juxtaposed with her carelessness and moral ambiguity, revealing a façade of innocence masking selfishness. Yellow, embodied through the decadent parties and luxurious cars, symbolizes the degradation and moral decay lurking beneath the gilded surface of wealth and prosperity. Lastly, the aforementioned green light, synonymous with Gatsby’s relentless pursuit, symbolizes not only his unattainable aspirations but also the pervading disillusionment concealed beneath the seemingly prosperous exterior of society. [6]
Daisy Buchanan emerges as a complex symbol of charming superficiality and concealed cynicism within the novel. Often referred to as the "golden girl", she represents the enchanting allure of wealth and social status, while simultaneously reflecting the moral decay inherent within such pursuits. Despite her outward appearance of purity and innocence, Daisy’s character encapsulates selfishness, irresponsibility, and a pervasive moral vacuity. Her inability to choose between Gatsby and Tom, her detachment from reality, and her ultimate abandonment of Gatsby all reflect the intrinsic corruption masked by her enchanting exterior. [7]
'The Great Gatsby' deftly explores the American Dream, revealing it as a multifaceted symbol of aspiration and disillusionment. The dream, which asserts that anyone can achieve prosperity through hard work and determination, is progressively revealed as corrupt and unattainable, especially for someone like Gatsby. His journey from a destitute background to affluence, although seemingly in line with the dream, is fraught with criminality, moral compromise, and ultimate dissatisfaction, revealing the dream as not only unattainable for many but also inherently flawed and corrupt. [8]
Through a rich tapestry of symbols, 'The Great Gatsby' presents a potent critique of American society during the Jazz Age, exposing the moral rot that lies beneath a surface of glamour, prosperity, and social progress. Fitzgerald employs a myriad of symbols, such as the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the dichotomy of the East and West Eggs, to explore themes of aspiration, moral decay, and social disparity, ultimately presenting a disheartening picture of a society lost to materialism and ethical bankruptcy. The comprehensive dissection of these symbols reveals a narrative that transcends time and space, providing poignant commentary on the universal pursuit of happiness, success, and moral integrity in the face of systemic corruption and individual disillusionment.
[1] "Color-Symbols in 'The Great Gatsby'"
[2] "The Cars and Characters in 'The Great Gatsby'"
[3] "Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'"
[4] "Narrative Breaks and Reminiscences in the Third Chapter of 'The Great Gatsby'"
[5] "Historical and Literary Context of 'The Great Gatsby'"
[6] "Themes in 'The Great Gatsby'"
[7] "Color and Cosmos in 'The Great Gatsby'"
[8] "Fitzgerald's Daisy: The Siren Voice"
[9] "Gatsby's Pristine Dream: The Diminishment of the Self-Made Man in the Tribal Twenties"