How Does Fitzgerald Use Light In The Great Gatsby

REWRITTEN: Fitzgerald utilizes light as a symbol representing Gatsby’s lingering hope for his relationship with Daisy. During the beginning of the book, Gatsby remains heartbroken about Daisy as he believes that she is meant to be with him while Daisy is hesitant. The fact that Gatsby happened to be poor when he met Daisy in this time period pinpoints this even more clearly. In order to advance his relationship with Daisy, Gatsby could not be financially unstable. He knew that in order to satisfy Daisy’s standards of wealth and his own, he needed to make enough money for himself. He turned to bootlegging and made himself wealthy by taking part in this illegal activity. Once he felt like he had enough wealth, he intentionally built his huge

Fitzgerald sets the stage for Gatsby by explaining, “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water– and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been at the end of a dock” (Fitzgerald 20-21). Gatsby experienced sorrow when he continued to reach out towards Daisy. He cares about Daisy so deeply and he wants her to reciprocate the feeling. The light at the end of the dark symbolizes Gatsby’s hope for Daisy being too far away from his reach. Gatsby had not given up on her or their love even if it seemed as if Daisy was not reaching back. Gatsby continues to have more and more interactions with Daisy through the constant awkwardness with Tom (Daisy’s current husband). This only allows him to understand how much he truly loves Daisy. It also let Gatsby realize further that Tom was never meant for Daisy and rather Daisy is Gatsby’s soulmate. Fitzgerald showcases Gatsby’s self reflection by mentioning,“You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock” (Fitzgerald 92). Gatsby’s love for Daisy remains powerful nevertheless, and he will not give up on it. The light will be there no matter what challenges stunt their

Gatsby ends up getting humbled in the end when he asks Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him and Daisy can not do so. Daisy loved Gatsby, but she also did love Tom and her memories with him still mattered to her. Tom offered Daisy stability and reassurance. Daisy did not think Gatsby had enough to satisfy her back then and she continues to have this same feeling now. Gatsby is hurt by this but he does not give up on his love for her until finally she gives up on it for the both of them. Gatsby’s mind describes this scene, “She came to the window and stood there for a minute and then turned out the light” (Fitzgerald 147). Daisy turning out the light ended her side of the relationship with Gatsby. When Gatsby sees this it is inferred that he feels alienated. In his mind Gatsby knew that him and Daisy would end up together, and now it is revealed that half of the light in their relationship has vanished. When Daisy turned out the light and walked away, her hope for a relationship with Gatsby went with. Gatsby went back home that night devastated that this meant he would not end up with Daisy