Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

The Roaring Twenties was an age of prosperity, thrill, and luxury. It was full of new ideas and bright with color. Set in New York during this era, F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, follows the narrator, Nick Carraway. He tells the story of his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, a self-made wealthy man, in his pursuit to achieve a glorious dream. Within the story, Fitzgerald uses the colors green and blue to illustrate Gatsby's unwavering hope toward his colossal and noble dreams. Throughout the story, Fitzgerald uses the color green to portray the hope that Gatsby has of reaching his dreams. Before the narrator had ever formally met his neighbor, he saw Mr. Gatsby standing on his dock in the dark, stretching his arms out towards the water. Nick claims, “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” (Fitzgerald 21). Gatsby reaching for the green light symbolizes the hopes he has to be with his true love, Daisy.

Within the novel, Fitzgerald frequently uses the color blue to describe elements of Gatsby's life, such as the blue gardens that the guests of his parties pass, or the blue uniform that his chauffeur wears (Fitzgerald 39-41). The color blue, when referring to these elements, represents the nobility of the different aspects of Gatsby’s life. He has achieved his dream of appearing as a high-born man, and it is seen through the elegant blue surrounding him. Along with this, when Gatsby is in the process of creating his dream persona, Fitzgerald states, “A few days later he took him to Duluth and bought him a blue coat, six pair of white duck trousers and a yachting cap.” (Fitzgerald 100). As Gatsby obtains this new fancy blue coat, he creates the noble facade he seeks to obtain within his