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Green Light In The Great Gatsby

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Dreams only exist when one is asleep and the American Dream is no exception. Given its desirable nature, it is no surprise that this controversial promise of a fulfilling life forms the central idea of countless literary works. The most notable reflection on this topic is undeniably F. Scott. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. In this novel, the green light demonstrates the unrealistic quality of the American Dream. Furthermore, specific colors are used to show its negative impacts on pursuers. Finally, the Valley of Ashes illustrates the cost of the Dream. Thus, it is incontrovertible that Fitzgerald uses symbols in order to argue that the American Dream is an unrealistic, counterproductive, and destructive goal. Firstly, the iconic green light visible from Gatsby’s mansion is used to develop the unrealistic nature of the American Dream. It achieves this by demonstrating how unsatisfactory the Dream is in real life. This is evident when Gatsby says to Daisy, “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.’ Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever” …show more content…

Firstly, the green light depicts it as unfulfilling and unachievable. Moreover, the colors white and blue unveil the Dream’s negative impacts on the mental wellbeing of its pursuers. Finally, the valley of ashes reveals the environmental and social costs of the American Dream. All in all, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s refreshing take on this idealized future is only one, subtle example of his brilliance as a writer. His ability to masterfully communicate a wealth of morals through multi-dimensional literary devices truly reveal his mastery in the art of

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The green light is across the lake from Gatsby’s house at the end of Daisy and Tom’s deck. Despite its proximity to Gatsby and the actuality of him never obtaining it, expresses the idea that people waste their time and effort -like Gatsby did with daisy throughout the book- but never reach their goal of the American Dream. So why all the commotion for such an unachievable dream? Why all the false hope? The author sees this dilemma and uses the book to show that not only is the American Dream unattainable, but it also accentuates the idea that if the American dream is ever actually achieved it loses its glossed over beauty, as shown by Gatsby’s despair (Ch 6.

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At the end of The Great Gatsby, Nick reflects upon Gatsby’s life and pursuit on the beach where “the green light” at the end of Daisy’s dock can be seen. As a significant metaphor, “the green light” represents Gatsby’s dream which guides him to keep pursuing wealth and social status, while the position of the light, the distant and inaccessible Daisy’s dock, indicates the close connection between Gatsby’s unreal dream and Daisy, and as well the disillusionment of the dream. In the last three paragraphs, Nick explains the disillusionment of Gatsby’s dream, “He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it” (162). Gatsby has always strived for his ambition and dream.

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In chapter nine, Nick said, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . and one fine morning - so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (Fitzgerald 189). This supports Fitzgerald’s message to the reader about the American Dream because the green light stands for everyone’s hopes and dreams and desires, however, it is unattainable.

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It was scary and uncertain, but it was all worth chasing after in order to grasp that final result of accomplishment. Nonetheless, according to Fitzgerald, our dreams are constantly in front of us and we continue to chase after them, therefore elucidating the impression that the green light is a symbol of the American dream to which Gatsby is reaching out for. Furthermore, at this point after Gatsby’s death, the light has ceased and completely has disappeared. His goals can no longer be accomplished and there is nothing left for him to reach out for. His desire for greed, the longing for Daisy, and the aspiration for the American Dream has also died with Gatsby alongside

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