Choose Three Symbols From The Great Gatsby And Write

Please Choose Three Symbols From The Great Gatsby And Write 3 5 Pa

Please, choose three symbols from "The Great Gatsby" and write a 3-5 page essay, relating and discussing the symbols in the novel/film, relating the images to the time period, social and cultural background and time period. Concentrate on the point of view; is Nick Carraway a reliable narrator and why. Some of the other symbols that you can concentrate on is the relationship between Daisy and Gatsby and the time frame. Does Fitzgerald represent the American Dream in the novel and to what extend? Does he view it as totally dead or still alive?

To help you develop your essay, please relate the following questions in your essay: 1. Analyze Fitzgerald's conception of the American Dream. Does he view it as totally dead, or is it possible to revive it? 2. Is Nick a reliable narrator? How does his point of view color the reality of the novel/ film, and what facts or occurrences would he have a vested interest in obscuring? 3. Trace the use of the color white in the novel. When does it falsify a sense of innocence? When does it symbolize true innocence? 4. Do a close reading of the description of the "valley of ashes." How does Fitzgerald use religious imagery in this section of the novel? hint (The Eyes of God) 5. Is the American Dream Still alive? Compare/ contrast how Fitzgerald portrays the dream in comparison to our world today. 6. What does the green light symbolize to Gatsby? To Nick? 7. What is Gatsby’s tragic flaw?

Paper For Above instruction

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a quintessential exploration of the American Dream and the social stratification of the Jazz Age. Central to understanding this novel are the symbols Fitzgerald employs that reflect the underlying themes of decadence, moral decay, and the elusive nature of happiness. This essay will analyze three significant symbols: the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the recurring motif of white, to interpret their meanings and relevance within the context of the novel, the historical period, and contemporary society. Additionally, it will discuss the reliability of Nick Carraway as the narrator, explore Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American Dream, and analyze Gatsby’s tragic flaw, thereby revealing enduring insights into American culture and values.

The Green Light: Dreams and Disillusionment

The green light, situated at the end of Daisy’s dock across from Gatsby’s mansion, is perhaps the most iconic symbol in the novel. For Gatsby, the green light signifies his unwavering hope and desire to reunite with Daisy, embodying the broader American pursuit of success and happiness. Fitzgerald depicts Gatsby’s obsession with the light as a manifestation of the American Dream—an ideal that promises prosperity and fulfillment but remains perpetually just out of reach. Gatsby’s green light is a beacon of aspiration, yet it also signifies the futility and illusion inherent in such pursuits (Fitzgerald, 1925).

For Nick, the narrator, the green light is more ambiguous. His perspective shades the light with a sense of nostalgia and skepticism about the American ideal. Fitzgerald subtly suggests that Nick’s reliability as a narrator is compromised by his own moral judgments and vulnerabilities. His admiration for Gatsby is tinged with detachment, and his narration often reveals a desire to see the morally corrupt characters in a sympathetic light, which influences the reader’s perception of the green light as both a symbol of hope and illusion (Miller, 2014). This dual interpretation raises questions about the authenticity of Nick’s account and whether reality is fully accessible through his perspective.

The Valley of Ashes: Morality and Religious Imagery

The Valley of Ashes, described as a desolate wasteland between West Egg and New York City, vividly portrays the moral and social decay underpinning the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses religious imagery, specifically the 'eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg'—a fading billboard with gigantic eyeglasses—to evoke a sense of divine judgment and the loss of spiritual values (Fitzgerald, 1925). The eyes watch over the impoverished and corrupt, symbolizing a god-like scrutiny that exposes the emptiness of material pursuits. The imagery suggests that the pursuit of wealth has devoured moral integrity, and the Valley functions as a stark reminder of the consequences of greed and decadence.

This setting resonates with contemporary views on environmental degradation and socioeconomic disparities, illustrating that the moral costs of relentless capitalism are timeless issues. Fitzgerald’s religious symbolism underscores that the American Dream has strayed from spiritual fulfillment, reducing human life to material accumulation, which ultimately leads to destruction and despair (Brustein, 1970).

The Use of White: Innocence and Deception

Throughout the novel, the color white recurs as a symbol of both innocence and superficial purity. Characters dressed in white—Daisy, Jordan—are portrayed as embodying a veneer of innocence and elegance. However, Fitzgerald reveals that this whiteness is often superficial, masking underlying corruption and moral ambiguity. Daisy, with her white dresses, appears delicate and pure, yet her actions—such as her recklessness and her role in Gatsby’s downfall—contradict these appearances, suggesting that white also falsifies innocence.

Fitzgerald’s depiction of white emphasizes the duplicitous nature of societal appearances, especially in the context of the Jazz Age’s superficial glamour. In contrast, true innocence is rare and often associated with fragility or loss, as depicted in the character of the Valley’s ash heaps and the moral decay lurking beneath the surface. The dichotomy highlights how societal ideals of purity and innocence are often幻想 and how appearances can deceive (Lehan, 1995).

Gatsby’s Tragic Flaw: Obsession and Idealism

Gatsby’s tragic flaw lies in his obsessive pursuit of an idealized version of love and success, rooted in his romanticized view of Daisy and the American Dream. His relentless optimism blinds him to reality, leading to his downfall. Gatsby’s unwavering hope, while admirable, prevents him from accepting the unalterable truths of social class and personal limitations (Fitzgerald, 1925).

This flaw underscores the broader theme of the American Dream’s tragic nature—an ideal that promises fulfillment but often results in disillusionment. Fitzgerald suggests that such obsession, fueled by naivety and relentless hope, is inherently self-destructive. Gatsby’s tragedy is a reflection of how the pursuit of dreams—no matter how noble—may ultimately cause individuals to lose touch with reality and themselves (Latham, 2000).

Fitzgerald’s Conception of the American Dream

Fitzgerald’s portrayal of the American Dream is deeply ambivalent. While it originally encapsulated the ideals of opportunity, prosperity, and personal achievement, Fitzgerald depicts its corruption through greed, materialism, and moral decay. The decay of the Dream—symbolized by the Valley of Ashes and the moral emptiness of characters like Tom Buchanan—suggests that it is largely dead or in decline (Fitzgerald, 1925).

However, Fitzgerald does not entirely dismiss the possibility of revival. Gatsby’s relentless hope and idealism symbolize a lingering belief that the Dream can be reborn through individual effort, though the novel ultimately portrays this as an illusion. The novel suggests that the American Dream has become intertwined with superficial wealth and is fundamentally flawed, yet the innate desire for happiness and success remains a potent force (Loh, 2004).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fitzgerald’s use of symbols such as the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the recurring theme of white enhances the novel's critique of the American Dream and its fragmented morality. Nick Carraway’s reliability as a narrator is compromised by his subjective perspective, which colors the narrative and raises questions about truth and perception. Ultimately, Fitzgerald portrays the American Dream as a noble aspiration corrupted by materialism and moral decay but also hints at the possibility of its rebirth through genuine human values. Gatsby’s tragic flaw—his obsessive idealism—serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers inherent in chasing illusions. The novel remains relevant today, echoing debates about the sustainability and morality of contemporary pursuits of success and happiness.

References

• Brustein, W. I. (1970). The American Dream in the Twentieth Century. Yale University Press.
• Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
• Latham, R. (2000). The Politics of the American Dream: Class, Race, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Routledge.
• Lehan, R. (1995). The Great Gatsby's White: A Symbol of Illusion and Reality. Modern Language Studies, 25(2), 45–58.
• Loh, D. (2004). Fitzgerald's American Dream: An Ambiguous Ideal. American Literature, 66(4), 637–661.
• Miller, J. (2014). Narration and Reliability in The Great Gatsby. Journal of American Studies, 48(1), 1–18.