color themes in "the Great Gatsby"
In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, colors play an imperative part of establishing themes and mood. Many things are described by colors, from the obviously color-inclined to the less apparent. Frequently, colors that would not automatically come to mind when describing an object are used, often heightening the literary value of the book. Many colors are used with colors that might be opposite each other, to show contrast. That is the main focus of this paper, the contrast between colors.Fitzgerald starts his color usage early in the text. Tom and Daisy are described as living in a "cheerful red-and-white" (pg. 6) mansion, perhaps evoking the two opposing colors to show the contrast between Tom, a true violent brute of a man, and Daisy, a almost angelic, airy being. Indeed, Daisy and Jordan are later both described as both wearing white in the very first scene in which we meet them, and both are subsequently is described in terms of light colors throughout the rest of the text. Daisy especially is dwelled on as such. Yet, in that same first scene, she points out her hurt knuckle, which is described as "black and blue" (12). She claims that this was caused by Tom. This I see as being
cist. It does attempt to show a contrast to Tom's whitewashed view. In the scene after the accident, it is a "well-dressed" (140) black man that is able to identify the correct color of the car, and maintains a far cooler head then many white folks do who are on the scene. Another cryptic reference to Daisy's purity though use of color takes place in chapter 7. Being that Daisy and Gatsby's relationship is well underway, Nick, Jordan, Tom, and Daisy are invited to an awkward lunch/tea/social get-together in which the two new lovers are trying to be discrete in their flamboyant affections, without tipping off Tom. Throw in a bottle of whisky, and needless to say, this is unsuccessful, and it turns into a whole mess ending in vehicular-homicide. But what is most interesting in the usage of color is the fact that, in her first description in the chapter, Daisy and Jordan as depicted as "silver idols weighing down their own white dresses" (115). This is an awkward reference, owing to the fact that she is, for the first time, separated from what she is wearing. All through her previous references, her coverings, mostly isolated to virginal white, define her. However, in this single reference, she is not herself white naturally, but is weighing down h! Another feature of the book is how Gatsby is always clothed, and surrounded in warm, bright colors. This seems to signify the purity of his ambition and love. From his "cream color"-ed car (64) to his "caramel-colored suit" (65) to his "white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie"(85) to his final coat of "gorgeous pink rage of a suit, that made a bright spot of color against the white steps"(154). Also, the irony comes in that, it is his bright yellow car the dooms him and is responsible for such death. It is perfectly conceivable that, had the car not been so bright and distinctive, Gatsby might have been spared from Wilson's misplaced anger. Primary colors such as yellow and blue seem to a be recurring themes in the text. As a last point, it should be noted that, previous to his transformation into Jay Gatsby, James Gatz was described to have been "loafing along the beach... in a torn green jersey" (99). The fact that, before his transformation into the rich, extra! original sin, which is punishment for the pursuit of humanity, and even the fallen angels, whose virtuous beings were forever stained. Of all of Daisy's various descriptions, most of which she is described in terms of light shades (white dresses, hats, mak
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Daisy Jordan, Colored Empire, Dr Eckleburg, Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Daisy, James Gatz, Tom Throw, Daisy Nick, Daisy Gatsby's, daisy's purity, , intermarriage black white, relationship gatsby, daisy jordan, intermarriage black, black white, white dresses, described terms, gatsby's relationship, described terms light, terms light, vibrant color,
Approximate Word count = 1683
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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