Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Many authors use different colors to symbolize different parts of their stories and themes. Color can be used to symbolize anything from an object, to a person, or even a place all to contribute to a bigger picture. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are many colors hidden throughout the story to create a theme. Color symbolism plays an essential role in the novel by helping describe the characters personalities and characteristics as well as give a better understanding of the different themes and conflicts throughout the novel. The major colors used in the novel are green, white, yellow, and gold. These colors bring the novel and characters together. By their symbolism it gives the readers of The Great Gatsby a good

Color symbolism plays an essential role in the novel. One of the major colors that shows up the most throughout The Great Gatsby is the color green. Green is used to symbolize multiple things in the novel, but one of the most popular uses is to symbolize the American Dream, which is also connected with Daisy Buchanan. “Gatsby becomes a mysterious figure not introduced except as a figure in the distance stretching out his arms toward the green light, until over a quarter of the way into the novel.” (Hollister), this quote introduces the event where Jay Gatsby stands on his dock and looks across the water towards a green light that is shining behind the Buchanans house with the implication that he wants it, Daisy, the American Dream. “A green light in this country means Go. This is one of the most clear, effective and memorable images in American

It symbolizes nobleness and purity.” (Haibing), one character that this mostly connects to is Daisy. Daisy is seen as the most beautiful and seemingly innocent girl that the other characters have ever met. She is often described throughout the novel wearing the color white to truly express her purity and beauty, “She wears a white dress when she meets Gatsby for the first time as well as when Nick visits her in the East Egg” (Haibing). When Fitzgerald talks about Daisy’s past and teenage years he uses white with many different aspects, “At the age of eighteen, she dressed in white and had a white car, which made her charming in the eyes of young officers.” (Haibing) and "Our white girlhood was passed together there. Our beautiful white" (Fitzgerald 24). As described white is a symbolism of Daisy’s personality, but is also suspected just by her name, “Even her name Daisy is also a kind of white flower. Thus it may easily make people feel that she is pure, flawless, innocent and noble when people meet her the first time.” (Haibing). Another part of Daisy’s life that is white is parts of her home. “The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside” (Fitzgerald 158), this quote is describing the inside of the Buchanan home. In the novel the Buchanan’s house is described as, “...a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion…” (Fitzgerald 6). The white