The Great Gatsby

A detailed Summary of The Great Gatsby


A symbol is an object or place used to represent an idea or situation. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald there are many symbols. The themes of The Great Gatsby are shown through its use of symbols. The most important of the symbols used in the novel are the green light, the contrast between East Egg and the West Egg, and the valley of ashes.

The green light lights up across the water from Gatsby's house. This light is shown from the end of Daisy's dock. For Gatsby, this green light symbolized the "go-ahead" sign. Green was the symbol for promise, hope, and renewal. Gatsby's dream was to be with Daisy. The green light on the other side of the water gave him hope that his dream would come true. Gatsby saw his dream or goal and never gave up. He moved into the


mansion across the water from Daisy, just so he could watch her, and be close to her. The green light meant that Gatsby had a chance of winning Daisy. Gatsby asked Daisy to tell Tom that she loved him, but this was too much to ask. Daisy told Gatsby that he asked too much and she said she loved both of them. At the end of the novel the green light was no longer a sacred symbol of hope or promise but just a light at the end of the dock.

The valley of ashes symbolized the absence of life. The valley of ashes was located between Long Island and New York City. It represented the modern world and the wasteland created by industry. George Wilson's garage is in the valley of ashes. He receives little business and is always covered in dust. The valley of ashes is important because it hel

Some common words found in the essay are:
West Egg, Gatsby Daisy, George Wilson's, Scott Fitzgerald, East Egg, York City, valley ashes, , green light, west egg, east egg, Tom Daisy, live west, live west egg, Gatsby Nick, established rich, Egg West, people lived west, contrast east, story symbols, egg west, rich live, east egg west, contrast east egg, egg west egg,

Approximate Word count = 529
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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