Symbolism in the great gatsby = các hình tượng trong tiểu thuyết the great gatsby

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI
UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF LINGUISTICS & CULTURES OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING
COUNTRIES

GRADUATION PAPER

SYMBOLISM IN THE GREAT GATSBY

Supervisor: M.A. Văn Thị Thanh Bình
Student: Đỗ Ninh Chi
Course: QH2017. F1. E2

HÀ NỘI – 2021


ĐẠI HỌC QUỐC GIA HÀ NỘI
TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC NGOẠI NGỮ
KHOA NGƠN NGỮ VÀ VĂN HỐ CÁC NƯỚC NĨI TIẾNG ANH

KHỐ LUẬN TỐT NGHIỆP

CÁC HÌNH TƯỢNG TRONG TIỂU THUYẾT
THE GREAT GATSBY

Giáo viên hướng dẫn : M.A. Văn Thị Thanh Bình
Sinh viên : Đỗ Ninh Chi
Khoá: QH2017. F1. E2

HÀ NỘI – 2021

I hereby state that I: Đỗ Ninh Chi, QH2017.F1.E2, being a candidate for
the degree of Bachelor of Arts English language teacher education accept
the requirements of the College relating to the retention and use of
Bachelor’s Graduation Paper deposited in the library.
In terms of these conditions, I agree that the origin of my paper deposited in
the library should be accessible for the purposes of study and research,
in accordance with the normal conditions established by the librarian for the
care, loan or reproduction of the paper.
Signature

Date
Signature of Approval:


Signature of Approval:

Supervisor’s Comments & Suggestions


TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………….........i
ABSTRACT………………………………………………………..............................ii
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION………………………………………………........1
1. Rationale for the study ………………………………………………………….....1
2. Scope of the study ………………………………………………………................3
3. Objectives of the study ……………………………………………………….........4
4. Methods of the study ………………………………………………………………4
5. Design of the study ………………………………………………………...............4
PART TWO: DEVELOPMENT ………………………………………………….. 6

Chapter 1: Theoretical background ………………………………………….........6
1.1 An overview of symbolism …………………………………………………........6
1.1.1 What is symbolism? ..……………………………………………………....6
1.1.2 Characteristics of symbolism………………………………………………..7
1.2 Symbolism in Literature ……………………………………………………….....8
1.3 The author and the novel …………………………………………………………9
1.3.1 The author: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940.……………………………….10
1.3.2 The novel: The Great Gatsby (1925)...…………………………………….10
Chapter 2: Symbolism in The Great Gatsby ……………………………………..11
2.1 The green light ………………………………………………………..................11
2.2 The valley of ashes ………………………………………………………...........24
2.3 The eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg ……………………………………………...25


PART THREE: CONCLUSION ……………………………………………….....30
1. Contribution of the symbols to the implied messages …………………………....30
2. Suggestions for further studies …………………………………………………...33
REFERENCES ……………………………………………………….......................34


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor,
Van Thi Thanh Binh, M.A for her support as well as her constructive comments and
suggestions during my research process.
I am also grateful to my classmates, my friends, and members of family who
stimulated me a lot in finishing this thesis. They have become the greatest source of
motivation since I decided to carry out the research. My mom and dad had supported
me well with healthy food and the best conditions for studying at home. My best
friends including Nhu Phuong, Nguyet Ha and Lan Anh tried to give me meaningful
advice and lift my spirit up when I felt discouraged though we were far away from

each other.
Last but not least, I want to send my sincere thanks to the online library system of
University of Languages and International studies where I could find a variety of
previous research in the field of Literature. Without these useful references, I would
not be able to have a clear plan and effective guidance for my thesis project.

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ABSTRACT
Symbolism has been considered to be one of the most important rhetorical devices
which have a great contribution to the success of a literary work. It is also an
effective way for the author to convey the meaningful underlying messages to the
readers. “The Great Gatsby” is highly regarded as one of the most imperishable
proses of American Literature written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. In this novel,
the writer used a wide range of objects and images which carry symbolic meanings
to demonstrate his abstract ideas. This research aims to investigate different symbols
that appear in “The Great Gatsby” including “the green light”, “the valley of ashes”
and “the eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg”. These symbols play significant roles in
developing the plot of the novel and contributing to the revelation of the implied
messages. The way they are interpreted varies depending on the chapter in which
they appear as well as the perception of readers. Therefore, these mentioned symbols
will be thoroughly explored in specific chapters so that readers can have a
multidimensional view of their meanings in particular situations and understand
more about the author’s profound hidden messages. All the quotes used to analyze
the symbols in this paper are extracted directly from the novel. The study also
provides several possible suggestions for further research of the same field.
Key words: F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, Symbolism, The green light,
The valley of ashes, The eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg

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PART I: INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale of the study
Having been acquainted to Literature since early school years, Vietnamese students
still find it hard to learn a literary work even in their first language. It is a common
phenomenon that traditional literature classes provide students with theoretical
knowledge related to the author, the context, main content and analysis and make
them cram all of these boring things for exams. Because of this invisible pressure,
many students are unable to realize how the content and the art of writing in a literary
work can be created. Exploring literature on the surface will not bring any values, but
as we start to work on such figures of speech as metaphors, symbolism, similes that
the authors intentionally use, we will find out the underlying meaning layers. In most
literary works, it is rarely seen that writers use explicit meaning to convey the content
with the use of a word or some words. Instead, they intend to utilize implicit meaning
to draw a situation or a condition. Therefore, symbolism is considered an important
element adopted in literature to help readers have a deeper understanding of a specific
composition.
Figurative language in general and symbolism in particular have always been
inspiring and intriguing topics of many studies. Not only is symbolism used as a
literary device in fiction writing but it also appears in everyday life communication.
For example, the use of different symbols in organizations creates the sense of
versatility of their work, development or brand promotion. In a love relationship, a
man tends to give his woman a bunch of flowers on special occasions since flowers
represent affection and love. Each type of flowers also carries its own meaning as
well: roses are the symbol of true love and romance; white flowers are for friendship,
violets imply shyness, lilies signify beauty and attraction and yellow ones mean
hatred. In the world of literature, symbolism is regarded as an indispensable element
in delivering in-depth thoughts of the writer to readers. Firstly, by using symbolism,

the writer has the freedom to give a detail of his work different interpretations. Thus,
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the independent thinking ability among readers can be fostered by virtue of the process
that they experience when trying to interpret the author’s text. Marc Chagall, who was
one of the most successful artists of the 20th century said “If a symbol should be
discovered in a painting of mine, it was not my intention. It is a result I did not seek.
It is something that may be found afterwards, and which can be interpreted according
to taste.” Symbols also has a strong correlation with the themes of a literary work as
they serve as a guidance to explain and deliver multiple versions of a theme. For
instance, “morality and ethics” is one major theme in the novel “The Great Gatsby”;
however, readers may not know what to think about these aspects if it is not because
of the existence of Doctor T. J Eckleburg advertisement billboard, which embodies
the moral emptiness in the society at that time. One more important function of
symbolism in literary works is that it reveals the way the author views the world as
well as his individual perspective towards different objects and events. With all the
reasons mentioned, symbolism is undoubtedly a significant aspect that needs more
concerns and investigation.
Regarding the source of symbolism, literature is considered an authentic one where
an abundance of symbols can be found. Though it is produced mostly on the basis of
imagination, the writer subtly inserts many fractions of the real life in his works. As
a result, readers will be able to approach symbols from both “ordinary and
extraordinary” viewpoints.
The masterpiece “The Great Gatsby” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 is
highly praised by many seasoned writers and critics all over the world. In this novel,
the author applies a lot of symbols which scatter through the whole novel with pivotal
roles in expressing the implied meanings that the author wants to convey to his
readers. Zhang (2015) commented that “Fitzgerald is affected greatly by the 1920s’
flourishment of symbolism and we can see that from his famous work, which is

regarded his most mature work whether on the thought or on the writing techniques”.
He also stated that “The employment of symbolism makes his work go beyond the

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narrow individual world and associate subjectivity with objectivity which has
endowed it with representativeness.” (Zhang, 2015).
Among a variety of symbols which are employed in the novel “The Great Gatsby”,
I would like to examine the use of three following ones: “the green light”, “the eyes
of Doctor T. J Eckleburg” and “the valley of ashes” for several reasons. First, these
symbols reemerge multiple times across the novel in different situations, which gives
them different ways of interpretation. For example, the green light appears three times
in chapter one, five and the last chapter respectively; however, its meaning does not
remain the same but varies in these chapters. Second, symbolic colors utilized by F.
Scott Fitzgerald is considered a special feature in the masterpiece “The Great Gatsby”
and the chosen symbols have their own meaningful colors. Daniel J. Schneider, the
Chairman of Department of English for Windham College assumed that “The vitality
and beauty of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing are perhaps nowhere more strikingly
exhibited than in his handling of the color symbols in The Great Gatsby.” Symbols
including the light, the valley and the eyes have been given “life” by colors (green,
grey and yellow). These colors are among the most eminent ones, representing hope,
depravity and death.
2. Scope of the study
This paper concentrates mainly on giving an in-depth analysis of symbols namely
“the green light”, “the valley of ashes” and “the eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg” in the
novel. As it seems impossible to cover such whole broad areas as symbolism and
literature in this limited paper, these most important symbols have been selected after
thorough consideration.
The evidence for the analysis is extracted directly from the novel “The Great

Gatsby” written by American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925.

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3. Objectives of the study
This paper is carried out with the aim to give answers to these following research
questions:
• What are the different interpretations of three symbols (the green light, the
valley of ashes and the eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg) in the novel?
• How do they contribute to convey the implied message of the author?
• What are the suggestions for further studies of the same field in the future?
4. Methods of the study
The principal researching method used to conduct this study is textual analysis
method. As stated in the book “A quick guide to textual analysis” written by Jack
Caulfield in 2019, “Textual analysis is a broad term for various research methods used
to describe, interpret and understand texts. All kinds of information can be gleaned
from a text-from its literal meaning to the subtext, symbolism, assumption, and values
it reveals.” Textual analysis is the most vital method in literary studies for some
reasons. First of all, it puts great emphasis on the deliberately constructed components
of a text such as rhyme in a poem or perspective of the narrator in a novel. These
elements have a large contribution to the understanding of the researchers towards the
text’s meaning. In addition, this method not only unearths the intended meaning that
the author wants to deliver in a literary work but it also discovers the unintended
relations between texts and the settings in which the story was written.
5. Design of the study
This thesis paper is separated into three main parts: Introduction, Development and
Conclusion. The main ideas in these parts are presented as follows:
Part I includes the rationale, scope, objectives, research methods and design of the
study

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Part II consists of two main chapters. In chapter 1, the theoretical background of the
study regarding symbolism and literature will be provided. The main focus of this
paper is chapter 2, which examines the use of three symbols in the famous novel The
Great Gatsby.
Part III is the conclusion of the study which summarizes the findings and gives
possible suggestions for further studies.

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PART TWO: DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 1: Theoretical background
1.1 An overview of symbolism
1.1.1 What is symbolism?
Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to convey the ideas, qualities or the
symbolic meanings given to the symbols which are different from their literal sense.
The first emergence of symbolism in literary works was marked in the late 19th century
in France, and from then on, it has drastically affected drama, philosophy, painting
and other fields. According to the Oxford dictionary, symbolism means “the practice
of representing things by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or
significance to objects, events or relationships”. It is also stated by Wang (2011) that
“symbolism is a way of using something integral to the work to reach beyond the
work and engage the world of value outside the work”. Shaw (1881) defined a symbol
as “a word, a phrase, or other expression having a complex of associated meanings,
having different values from those is being symbolized”. In the definition of Wilson
(2010), he pointed out that a symbol is “an attempt by carefully studied means- a

complicated association of ideas represented by a medley of metaphors-to
communicate unique personal feelings”.
Tracing back to its origin, the term “symbol” is coined from a Greek word called
“Symbolon” which was used as a token to express friendly attitudes between two
individuals by putting the previous divided board as they reunited. “Symbolism
emphasizes the expression of subjective spirit and personal inner world. It does not
adopt the direct description but chooses the specific images and symbols to imply the
subtle and mysterious inner spiritual world and let the reader re-create the emotions
and ideas by using the unexplained symbols.” (Zhang, 2015). Each symbol has its
own mystery created by the relationship between the outer appearance and inner world
of an image.

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1.1.2 Characteristics of symbolism
According to enotes.com, there are five characteristics of symbolism as followed:
Symbols add the levels of meaning, creating depth in a text. But for figurative
language, the readers may find a work meaningless and it is impossible for them to
draw out any lessons after reading. Therefore, in order to carve the meaning of a
literary work into readers’ minds and hearts, writers began to utilize symbols. Normal
objects or images now need be acquired with deeper analysis.
Symbols create the universality in meaning of the theme and characters of a literary
work. In some works, the characters are idolized with good traits such as bravery or
patriotism; therefore, they become more significant and powerful than people in real
life. Moreover, symbols also unite themes and characters in a narrative.
Symbols ignites the interest of readers while interacting with the text. By interpreting
the symbols, readers gradually formulate the meaning of a literary work.
Symbols are keys to discover the writer’s mind and intent. With thorough
understanding of the symbols, the distance between readers and writers is shortened

because they find out the hidden significant messages about different aspects in life
that the writers want to voice out through their works as well as their writing style.
Symbols keep readers engaged in exploring the text as they offer the reader a creative
opportunity. Symbols are deliberately added to a literary work by the writers to
encourage the readers to interpret the profound meaning behind those symbols. By
this way, readers can utilize their imagination and creative thinking to figure out the
meaningful messages delivered in the literature. This effectively contributes to their
development in reading skills as well.
In the book titled “The theory of symbolism” written by Jones Ernest (1916),
symbolism has several significant characteristics as followed:
A symbol is a representative or substitute of some other idea, from which in the
context it derives a secondary significance not inherent in itself. The flow of
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significance is from the primary idea to the secondary, to the symbol, so that
typically a more essential idea is symbolized by a less essential.
It represents the primary element through having something in common with it.
The association may be an internal or an external one. An association, however,
which is superficial to the reason may be of significance in feeling, especially in
the unconscious.
A symbol is characteristically sensorial and concrete, whereas the idea represented
may be a relative abstract and complex one.
In most uses of the word, a symbol is a manifest expression for an idea that is more
or less hidden, secret, or kept in reserve.
In the paper “Semantics of the symbol: main theories about the symbol and the
themes of symbols in Alexandru Macedonski’s poetry” by Elena Gagiu Pedersen
(2014), it is stated that there are two angles from which the symbol can be scrutinized:
of the writer (the owner of the symbol) and of the readers. Regarding the former case,
“the symbol is a rhetorical means as it is used for the indirect transmission of general

meanings”. On the other hand, if viewed from readers’ perspective, “the symbol is the
instrument of an action of psychological identification or of mystical revelation, being
subjected to deciphering in order to identify, beyond appearances, a profound sense.”
Therefore, it is true to say that the discovery of a symbol must be based on the relation
between the concrete object and the implied meaning that the author wants to convey
through that symbol.
1.2 Symbolism in Literature
One of the major fields in which symbolism plays an important role is Literature.
The 19th century was considered an era of great changes in most Western countries.
Symbolism was one of many ways to respond to the rapid industrialization and
scientific advances in the society. It derived from Literature and swiftly spread to
music and fine arts. The symbolists were Avant-gardes who worked independently
with a diversity of styles and mediums. The purposes of their works were to express
the desire to escape from an increasingly grey reality and to portray dreams, visions
and spirituality. Symbolist fine artists were identified by the use of color abstract
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forms such as flat. The main themes commonly revolved around love, death, anger,
fear, sexual awakening and desire.
Symbolism is commonly used in literary works to make events, objects, and
characters a more extraordinary appearance and deeper meaning which are in contrast
to their literal senses. Another purpose of incorporating symbolism is that authors
want to achieve a visual expression of perplexing concepts and connect it to the
focused themes in their writing. As most symbols are hidden in the text, readers are
required to think critically in order to fully grasp the implied meaning of them. Certain
people tend to be more sensitive to certain kinds of themes; therefore, they may
familiarize themselves more quickly to a book or an essay than the others. The
metaphorical use of an object as a symbol helps subtly convey controversial ideas
instead of talking about them in a straightforward way. The second function of

symbolism in literature is to give the story different levels of meaning. The writer
aims at connecting his readers and story on different emotional scales ranging from
low to high. By having a close investigation at the hidden symbolism and its implied
meanings, readers have a chance to explore the intentions of the author that makes
him create that writing. Last but not least, symbolism is such a potential literary device
which allows a writer to propose a new concept to the audiences in an unconventional
poetic way. This feature has distinguished literature and other fields such as
economics or history in which the ideas are introduced right away to the readers. With
the help of symbolism, the meaning of a writing can gradually penetrate in and leave
an unforgettable impression among readers.

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1.3 The author and the novel
1.3.1 The author: F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
Fitzgerald was known as an American novelist, essayist, screenwriter and shortstory writer famous for his depiction of the Jazz Age in the 1920s. He was one of the
greatest American writers in the 20th century with the collection of 5 novels: This Side
of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, The Great Gatsby, Tender is the Night, and
The Love of the Last Tycoon which hasn’t been finished yet. Although he was born in
an upper-middle-class family in St. Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald was raised mostly in
New York. He received expensive education at private schools. Then, he went to
Princeton University and successfully developed a reputation in literary writing in his
college. However, he dropped out to join the army in 1917 and met his lover, Zelda
there. Initially, he was rejected by Zelda due to his poor financial competence and low
social position. She only agreed to get married to him after he had published “This
Side of Paradise” (1920) which helped him earn a lot of money as well as fame at the
same time. With the pressure of making money to support his family’s life, he became
reckless with his writing. Later, in 1925, he wrote and published “The Great Gatsby”
which was only widely praised by many famous writers and critics after his death in

1940. During the last days of his life, Fitzgerald suffered from alcoholism and
loneliness without his wife or daughter.
1.3.2 The novel: The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is one of the most American famous novels written by F. Scott
Fitzgerald in 1925. It meticulously portrayed the society and culture transformation
of America in the Jazz Age. The main themes of the novel are both American dream
and the decadence of morality in the society at that time. The author successfully
utilized prominent symbolism throughout the novel to highlight the personalities of
main characters, develop the plot and emphasize the main themes of the novel via
these profound and meaningful symbols. The narrator of the novel is Nick Carraway
who is considered reliable as he adheres to his father’s advice to reserve all judgments.
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Gatsby or James Gatz, a poor man, falls in love with Daisy who comes from a
prestigious family in town. They share the same affection but unfortunately are
separated because of wars. Daisy cannot wait for Gatsby to come back so she agrees
to get married with Tom Buchanan, a wealthy man with high social status. One day,
Gatsby suddenly returns with lots of money and determines to win Daisy back. He
becomes rich overnight just because he involves himself in bootlegging and illegal
activities. He buys a house which can look over Daisy’s across the bay and throws
extravagant parties to attract her. By connection with Nick, he gradually approaches
Daisy and they start their secret affair. However, as Gatsby wants Daisy to confess to
Tom and run away with him, she refuses to do so. Gatsby is sobbed in disappointment
and disillusion of his own American dream. Gatsby’s love for Daisy is so deep that
he accepts to burden the accusation of killing Myrtle for her and then ends up being
avenged by Myrtle’s husband, George Wilson. Eventually, Daisy escapes with her
family without knowing about Gatsby’s funeral.
Chapter 2: Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
This part concentrates on giving an in-depth analysis of three symbols namely the

green light, the valley of ashes and the eyes of Doctor T. J Eckleburg regarding the
following aspects: concrete meaning, symbolic meaning and their contribution to the
main themes/messages of the novel.
2.1 The Green Light
The green light is one of the most important symbols that closely relates to the main
character Jay Gatsby and the whole theme. Across the novel, this symbol appears
three times and its meaning varies depending on the situations in which it is
mentioned. For example, the green light can be the symbol of Daisy who is Gatsby’s
lifelong dream and pursuit. This way of interpretation helps readers understand more
about the life, perception and personalities of the main character in the novel. On the

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other hand, if viewed from a broader aspect, the green light represents the American
Dream which was the burning desire of most people in the 20th century.
Being seen merely as a physical object, the green light is a permanently lit light at
the end of the Buchanan’s dock to warn boats at night. The first time that we see the
green light is at the very end of the first chapter:
...a figure had emerged from the shadow of my neighbor's mansion and was
standing with his hands in his pockets regarding the silver pepper of the stars.
Something in his leisurely movements and the secure position of his feet upon the
lawn suggested that it was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share
was his of our local heavens.
...he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was
from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that
might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had
vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness. (Fitzgerald, 2013, p.24)
For Gatsby, the light is associated with Daisy and this is also the initial implied
meaning of the symbol. The motive for him to buy a mansion across the bay from

Daisy’s house also manifested his step-by-step determination to win over her. Before
meeting Daisy, the green light is considered a glimmer of hope in his soul and
somehow makes her closer to him. From Nick’s vision, Gatsby stretched out his arms
to touch the light, but in fact, he pathetically wanted to touch Daisy. Even such a long
time of separation could not fade his feeling for her away since from a distance in the
darkness, Nick still vividly saw Gatsby “trembling”. It can be said that the unwavering
love for Daisy in his heart remained intact and well-protected for more than five years
even though she had settled down with Tom. The green color in the symbol “the green
light” also implies the jealousy of Gatsby toward Tom whom Daisy got married to
during his absence. This is understandable because it was supposed to be Gatsby who
would be Daisy’s future husband and they would be able to live happily after he
returned from wars. However, all of a sudden, Tom stepped in between and took the
dream of his whole life (the life with Daisy) away. Tom had defeated him in the past
but now, since Gatsby came back successfully with lots of money and high social
status, he determined to reclaim his position and win Daisy back at all costs.
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In another aspect, the green light divulges personal traits in Gatsby’s spiritual life
so that readers can understand more about this character. In many senses, the way
Gatsby maintained his persistence and drive toward his goal was very creditable.
Throughout the course of his life, Daisy had always been his one and only aim;
therefore, he was willing to do whatever made her satisfied. Since money was the only
obstacles that separated them apart, he swore not to come back without it. After years
overcoming uncountable challenges with restless effort, Gatsby finally made his way
to join the social circle of “new money” and successfully charmed Daisy’s heart again.
As reading the novel, the period of five years drifted across in a blink of an eye;
however, for Gatsby, it was a whole process of continuously fighting and changing
himself. No matter what challenges that life threw at him, readers always see a version
of an undefeatable Gatsby. Even in the competition of winning Daisy back, when

facing Tom who was a strong opponent both in terms of wealth and privilege, Gatsby
showed no sign of giving up. Instead of that, with endless desire, he equalized his
position and possession with Tom by saying “The only respectable thing about you,
old sport, is your money. Your money, that’s all. I have just as much as you, and that
means we are equal.” Before his official declaration of love in front of Tom which is
deemed to be Gatsby’s final step to regain Daisy, readers cannot forget the fact that
he had made a sophisticated plan to approach her from scratch. Overnight lavish
parties with the most luxuries were frequently held with the view to attract her
attention. Even the friendship between Gatsby and Nick started to blossom only after
he knew that Nick was Daisy’s cousin. Gatsby tried to tap into all the potentials he
had for the one and only purpose which was to approach Daisy. Everything that
Gatsby did to pursue his dream is the pertinent reason why Nick called him with such
an affectionate and admirable name “The Great Gatsby”.
Described as “single, minute and far away”, the green light represents the only
dream of Gatsby; however, it undesirably predicts the tragic ending in his life. If only
Daisy had not been the singular purpose that Gatsby blindly chased for, the brutal
death wouldn’t have come to him. Even before his death, he still nurtured a glimmer
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of hope that Daisy would call and they would get away together. However, it can
possibly be explained that the death of Gatsby, in some way, released him from mental
collapse. The disappointment and then despair can cause deeper wounds than any
other physical pains inside him. Were he alive, it would be hard to imagine how
painfully his life would suffer seeing Daisy and Tom hands in hands moving to
another new land while he incurred the disgrace of others for the fault that he didn’t
do. The light radiating from the end of Daisy’s dock also carries implied message that
the author intends to convey to readers in a subtle way. There is always a certain aura
of mystery and allure surrounding Gatsby especially when he stood on his “blue lawn”
in the darkness and watched the green light at the end of the Buchanan’s dock. By

means of this symbol, Fitzgerald naturally evokes the curiosity of readers towards the
main character Jay Gatsby and his inner power.
In conclusion, the presence of the green light in the first chapter is full of hope and
romance as it represents Daisy, the dream of Gatsby’s life. It can be noticed that the
co-emergence of Gatsby and the green light at the very end of chapter 1 is possibly
Fitzgerald’s special intention. Right away, readers find out the significance of the light
to Gatsby as it appears to be the reason which aroused Nick’s curiosity about this man.
The second time that the green light appears in the novel is in chapter 5. Thanks to
the tactful support from Nick, Gatsby finally reunited with Daisy after a long time.
He then invited Daisy to his house and showed her around the mansion.
“If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay," said Gatsby. "You
always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock."
Daisy put her arm through his abruptly but he seemed absorbed in what he had just
said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had
now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from
Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close
as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of
enchanted objects had diminished by one. (Fitzgerald, 2013, p.100)
Having come a long way with restless effort, Gatsby eventually attained his goal
to reunite with Daisy at his place. Regarding the first chapter, the distance between
him and the green light (Daisy) was quite long because it was blocked by the mist and
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the bay. The bay can be interpreted as the gap of social status and finance between the
two while the mist, to some extent, refers to Gatsby’s misperception about Daisy and
the upper class. In fact, in the world where money and social rankings overtakes any
moral standards, people try to conceal their emotionless hearts with a life full of
flashiness. Not being exempted from the principle “Love is blind”, Gatsby viewed
Daisy in his imagination as the most perfect woman ever existing; therefore, he could

not recognize the dark sides inside her and the class that she belonged to. Because of
that unconditional love, at the moment of meeting her, Gatsby temporarily fell into
the dreamy delusion and neglected other things.
The distance between him and Daisy seemingly diminished as Daisy was standing
in front of him in person. He was no longer afraid of her disappearance because now
he could truly touch and feel her instead of “stretching out his arms toward the dark
water”. Previously, the purpose of the green light was to soothe and console the
emptiness in Gatsby’s heart but now it returned to a normal physical object at the pier.
Daisy had filled in the hole inside the soul of Gatsby and her reemergence in his life
is the utmost worthy compensation for him. In this chapter, it can be noticed that the
“colossal significance” of the light had gradually faded until “it was again a green
light on a dock”. After meeting Daisy, the longings, dream and hope of Gatsby had
been fulfilled so the light was no longer a symbol but retrieved its normal function.
However, it was still radiating because the purpose of Gatsby did not only stop at
meeting Daisy again. He had something else in his plan that was an official marriage
with her. There is nothing to say if Gatsby continued an adulterous relationship with
Daisy as long as they could be together. Nonetheless, he wanted her to be
acknowledged as his legitimate wife which shows that Gatsby was a real gentleman
and he had a high regard for Daisy. Considering this point, Gatsby is truly deserved
with the name “The Great Gatsby”.
Compared to chapter 1, the second introduction of the green light is as crucial as
the first one since its presence now is totally different than the previous appearance.
The enchanted magical light with symbolic meaning in the first chapter has lost its
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“colossal significance” and returns to be a mere object. The explanation for that can
possibly be because Gatsby now could stand beside Daisy and touch her in person, so
no longer did he need to stretch out his arms towards the light in the darkness.
The last time when the readers can see the light is at the end of the novel through

Nick’s thoughts. George fatally shot Gatsby at his swimming pool and then committed
suicide. Nick called to inform Daisy about Gatsby’s funeral but she and Tom had left
East Egg without any notice. By doing so, they wanted to forever burry the truth
behind the misdeed that Daisy caused to Myrtle. Being so disgusted by what he had
witnessed, Nick decided to quit his job and finally underwent a psychological
treatment. As he was recalling the past, the green light flashed back in his memory,
along with Gatsby.
And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby's
wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. He had
come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that
he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him,
somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the
republic rolled on under the night.
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes
before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster,
stretch out our arms farther…And one fine morning…
So, we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
(Fitzgerald, 2013, p.193)
Nick compared Gatsby’s infatuation with the green light to what America looked
like before people tore down trees and constructed cities and factories, just “a fresh,
green breast of the new world”. The green light as well as the land can arguably be
interpreted as the symbol of the American dream. The green light is Daisy, Gatsby’s
American Dream while a new land is the American Dream of new settlers, “the
greatest of all human dreams”. Therefore, the green light carries a universal meaning
as Gatsby is no longer the only person to reach for this symbol but everyone stretches
their arms toward it, hoping to touch it tomorrow or in “one fine morning”. According
to Millet (2013), the dream is “tarnished by his material possession, much like
America is now with our possession and wealth”. The appearance of the light
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throughout the whole novel not only makes the plot more complete and the theme
deeper but it also brings precious artistic values to the novel.
The symbol “the green light” has profound correlation with both the Lost
generation and American Dream, which were outstanding features of America in
1920s. From Gatsby’s eyes, the green light represents Daisy, so he idealized the
perfect vision of Daisy that prevented him from seeing how she really was. Therefore,
when he knew the truth that Daisy was not as perfect as he had thought, the dream
inside him disillusioned. Similarly, the green light of Lost generation was an idealized
but unattainable image of the past, “a glossy image with no bearing in reality” (Kate
O’ Connor). Both Gatsby and the people of Lost generation reminisced or even were
obsessed with the beautiful past so they dreamt to revive it one day. Unfortunately,
they failed to realize that everything changed as time passed by and that’s why their
illusions eventually corrupted.
The origin of the American dream came from the Puritans who came to America
by sea. Initially, they wanted to build a pure country where they would accomplish
their moral goals and become a religious community living as freely as possible,
without any kinds of persecution. People held a strong belief that whoever worked
hard in America to achieve success could achieve it. There would be no discrimination
in races, classes, genders or nationalities. For years, this had been the prevailing idea
of Americanism that most people sought to reach. They were all good values that
these first settlers tried to establish in their newly founded country. However, things
were said to have changed things had changed since the early 18th century when there
came more and more immigrants whose backgrounds were not Puritans’. The
American Dream was distorted and deviated moved away from its previous moral
standards toward the mere dream of wealth and materialism. It was believed that one
should belong to a group of people who could make money to afford many
conveniences. The American dream now came true for just 1% of the population; for
the other 99%, only discontent, bitterness and failure await. The culture of
consumerism, illusions of “going from rags to riches”, luxury, lavish parties/dressings

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