The Great Gatsby Within the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the reader can find a hint of symbolism without looking too far. Fitzgerald uses two main objects to show symbolism, the billboard of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg and an owl-eyed man in Gatsby's library. With these two, the symbolism portrayed is someone is always watching whether it's a higher being or a neighbor, this works well with the novels theme. Some would say the theme is love but the novel has multiple themes and to go with symbolism the theme is someone's watching. In The Great Gatsby the billboard and the owl-eyed man contribute to the theme, someone is watching. Getting introduced to a billboard, on the way to the ashen city between West Egg and New York, Doctor T.J. Eckleburg is the first hint of symbolism received. Nick describes the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg to be "blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high" (23). At first, one wouldn't notice the symbolism without thinking about it. The eyes of the Doctor symbolizes a higher being always watching. After connecting these thoughts it makes clear sense that the billboard fits right in with the theme someone is always watching. …show more content…
The character is the owl-eyed man and like Dr T.J Eckleburg he holds symbolism. First impressions are the most rememberable and he left a big one appearing as " a stout middle aged man, with enormous owl-eyed spectacles... sitting somewhat drunk on the edge of a great table" (45). With that being our first impression this character seems irrelevant and nothing more than another impaired guest as Gatsby's party. Until the end of the novel this man comes back to Gatsby's funeral showing symbolism as if he's always been like a guardian angel watching over Gatsby. Allowing him to fit with the theme someone is always