How Does Fitzgerald Use Weather In The Great Gatsby

Motifs are defined as: “a recurrent image, idea, or symbol that develops or explains a theme” (Motif - Examples and Definition of Motif). This literary devise enhances the plot and character development, imagery, and theme identification in literature. For these reasons, extraordinary writers, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, pepper their works with motifs. The Great Gatsby is no exception. Throughout the course of the novel, numerous motifs are used, such as: weather, color, geography, and money. However, one of the most prominent and well used motifs (in my opinion) is the one pertaining to weather. The way it is used has specific meaning in relation to characters and events, and progresses over the course of the novel. Symbolic usage of weather

Gatsby, of course, is flooded with emotions, on account of him not seeing the love of his life for “Five years next November” (Fitzgerald, 92). Therefore, the weather reflects the emotions of Gatsby and suggests at the events about to occur; “The day agreed upon was pouring rain” (Fitzgerald, 88). When Daisy arrives, Nick opens his front door to find Gatsby outside “standing in a puddle of water” (Fitzgerald, 91). Gatsby drenched from the rain is meant to symbolize him being drenched in his insecurities, and anxiety. The reunion between Gatsby and Daisy is extremely tense and uncomfortable, during which the rain continues. However, the moment their love is rekindled, “the sun shone again” (Fitzgerald, 93). This sudden and drastic change in weather shows that the weather was directly tied to Gatsby’s emotions and the meeting with

In chapter nine, Gatsby’s funeral occurs. On the day of Gatsby’s funeral, “the sky had turned dark… in a drizzle” (Fitzgerald, 180). This creates a gloomy, depressed mood, that is tied with the death of Gatsby. The rainy dark weather is a direct representation of the emotions of the (few) people who were close to Gatsby. This is shown when Gatsby’s servant “spoke of the rain in a worried and uncertain way” (Fitzgerald, 182). However, the servant is worriedly speaking of an uncertain future; uncertain due to the death of Gatsby. The rain shows the grief of the characters, and the gloominess of a world with Jay