From Conflict to Identity: Main Issues Explored in US Literary Education - Sykalo Eugen 2023

What are the major symbols in F. Scott Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby” and how do they contribute to the story?

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal work, "The Great Gatsby," symbols play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and enriching the themes explored throughout the novel. Fitzgerald masterfully employs these symbols to convey deeper meanings, evoke emotions, and illuminate the complexities of the Jazz Age society. Through an intricate web of imagery, Fitzgerald unveils the allure and disillusionment of the American Dream, the destructive power of wealth and materialism, and the fragility of human relationships. By examining some of the major symbols in "The Great Gatsby," we can unravel their significance and explore how they contribute to the story's overarching themes.

The first and most iconic symbol in the novel is the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock. This symbol represents Gatsby's yearning for his idealized vision of the American Dream and his relentless pursuit of wealth, success, and love. Positioned across the water from Gatsby's mansion, the green light becomes a beacon of hope and a symbol of his unattainable aspirations. It embodies the illusion of the future and the elusive nature of the American Dream, forever just out of reach. As the novel progresses, the green light takes on a more nuanced meaning, representing the complexities and contradictions of Gatsby's desires and the hollowness of his dreams.

Another significant symbol in the novel is the Valley of Ashes, a desolate wasteland located between West Egg and New York City. This barren landscape, characterized by its gray and ashen atmosphere, symbolizes the moral decay, social inequality, and spiritual emptiness that lie beneath the glamorous facade of the Jazz Age. The Valley of Ashes serves as a stark contrast to the opulence of West Egg and East Egg, highlighting the stark disparities in wealth and power. It represents the consequences of the relentless pursuit of wealth and the moral bankruptcy of the characters who inhabit this world. Moreover, the Valley of Ashes serves as a reminder of the elusive nature of the American Dream, revealing the emptiness and futility of material success without a strong moral foundation.

The symbol of the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, depicted on a billboard in the Valley of Ashes, serves as a powerful and haunting image throughout the novel. These eyes, oversized and brooding, symbolize the omniscient gaze of a judgmental and indifferent God, observing the moral decay and corruption of society. They also represent the hollowness of the American Dream and the erosion of moral values in the pursuit of material wealth. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg stand as a constant reminder of the characters' moral failings, their inability to escape the consequences of their actions, and the moral bankruptcy of the society in which they reside.

Fitzgerald employs the symbol of Gatsby's extravagant parties to explore the shallowness and decadence of the Jazz Age society. These grand soirées, characterized by excess, debauchery, and a sense of superficiality, serve as a microcosm of the era's moral decay. Gatsby's parties, although filled with revelry and opulence, ultimately lack substance and genuine human connection. They symbolize the empty pursuit of pleasure and the superficiality of the social elite. Through these parties, Fitzgerald critiques the excessive materialism and hedonism of the Jazz Age, highlighting the emptiness and hollowness that lie beneath the glittering facade.

The symbol of the color white, associated with Daisy Buchanan, represents innocence, purity, and unattainable perfection. Daisy, with her ethereal beauty and delicate demeanor, is often described in terms of whiteness, symbolizing the idealized image of femininity that Gatsby worships. However, beneath her pristine exterior, Daisy embodies the corruption and moral ambiguity of the Jazz Age elite. The symbol of white serves as a paradox, highlighting the contrast between appearance and reality, and underscoring the disillusionment and decay that permeate the lives of the characters.

Lastly, the symbol of the clock and the concept of time play a significant role in the novel. Time serves as a constant reminder of the transience and fleeting nature of human existence. The characters in "The Great Gatsby" are haunted by the passage of time and their inability to recapture the past. Gatsby's obsession with the past, his relentless pursuit of Daisy and the rekindling of their past love affair, is ultimately doomed to fail. The ticking clock symbolizes the impossibility of reversing time and recapturing lost moments. It underscores the theme of the irretrievability of the past and the tragic consequences of living in an illusionary world of nostalgia.

The symbols in "The Great Gatsby" contribute to the story by adding layers of meaning, exploring the complexities of the characters' motivations, and highlighting the contradictions and disillusionment of the Jazz Age society. Fitzgerald's masterful use of symbolism allows readers to delve beneath the surface of the narrative and grapple with the profound themes of the novel, including the illusory nature of the American Dream, the moral decay of society, and the fragility of human aspirations. Through these symbols, Fitzgerald invites readers to question the values and ideals of their own time and reflect upon the universal human condition.