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Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

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“You may fool me, but you can’t fool God! (Fitzgerald 159)” George Wilson said this while staring at a billboard featuring a pair of eyes that are said to be a physical representation of God in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This quote tells us all that there are irrefutable religious themes in this novel. There are several instances of spiritual imagery that are used, however, there are many more uses of symbolism that are often looked over. Fitzgerald tried to self-insert himself into his book by modeling some of the characters after himself, while also modeling them after God. Many believe that this means that Fitzgerald wanted to play God in his writing and that he genuinely believed he was so morally upstanding that …show more content…

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)” This is a perfect illustration of Gatsby's position in this novel. He has lost all of his morals and ethics because he has yearned for Daisy so deeply that he piled money on top of money, and it still didn't work. The same can’t be said for the people in the Valley of Ashes, though. They have placed themselves in their own personal purgatory by failing to reach the dream they desperately clung to. Fitzgerald pointed this out by saying, “Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being peasantry. (88)” Since they lost their way trying to have more money, they live in a physically, metaphorically, and morally “gray” place separate from the others. Fitzgerald doesn't only call out those desperate for money, he calls out those who already have it. He makes an evident variance between the rich and the poor, the clearest being Tom and Wilson. “Two shining, arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning forward. (7)” This was used to describe Tom as intimidating and evil looking, which reflects in his character. Everyone else were given quite airy descriptions and don’t seem to appear as scary even though they later partake in their fair share of wrongdoing, whereas Tom was terrible from the very beginning. This could very well be a metaphor for how the Bible describes that we are all born with sin and adding that to the theory that money is the root of all evil, indicating that since he was born with money, his sin is worse than those who acquired wealth later on, since they have lived a life

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Eckleburg also represents the power of the past. Within the 36 years after article it states “ This devitalized limbo is presided over by the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. ”(37, Dyson) This quote is referring to the Valley of Ashes. The valley of ashes both represents the consequences of the “American Dream”and where the terrible actions of society happen.

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Imagery is a robust form of figurative language that is essential to the development of any story. In “The Great Gatsby” Imagery, including symbolism, is the figurative language used throughout the novel that incumposes the reader into certain settings that are described. Imagery uses figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to the physical senses of the readers. The use of tapping into the all the scenes of the reader is what makes this type of figurative language so powerful and makes a greater connection with the reader about the world around them.

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Scott Fitzgerald and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron,” a lack of God is evident to the audience. In both works, the lack of God proved troublesome to many characters. In upper class characters, including Jay Gatsby, and Tom and Daisy Buchanan, there is no mention of religious affiliation. They are self-absorbed, excessive drinkers, and lie in order to achieve what they want. “In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the God is one who does not interfere with what people are doing on Earth.

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He will throw cash around and spend it on things he doesn’t need, all the while making sure his carelessness is on full display. He is fully aware of the status he gains from these stunts, and he revels in it. To summarize, Tom’s grandiose and careless lifestyle is intended to inflate his own ego and impress the people he interacts with in order to ascend the social

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Throughout the book different perspectives have been shown on how wealth reveals humans true colors. Different characters in the book have their different perspectives on what money means to them. Specifically, Tom Buchanan, who inherited every penny he had, uses money as a way to elevate himself from others which is shown in his personality, actions, and appearance throughout the story. Tom was the

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Gatsby could be one of the most shallow, unaware and manipulative characters in the book. The only things he cares about are money, material things, and Daisy. His judgment is clouded by love and desire for these things. Although much of Gatsby's actions are based upon the pursuit of material possessions, he values one thing even more, Daisy. Gatsby, throughout the whole book, only has one goal: to get Daisy, and he will stop at nothing to get her.

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Money can make one feel powerful and invincible. It can also lower one’s morals. Materialism has corrupted Tom, George, and Gatsby. Tom is a very immoral character as he lies and cheats. Carla L. Verderame states that “There are no spiritual values in a place where money reigns.”

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They overlook a complicated web of human emotions, sins, and corruption. The simultaneous existence of so many human mistakes and the symbol of a greater power is contradictory. F Scott Fitzgerald is poking fun at the fact that even under surveillance and assumed judgment, people will continue to make choices that negatively impact others and

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1181 Words | 5 Pages

This notion is established through Myrtle’s own dialogue with Tom, with her begging for “one of those dogs” (23). In response, Tom arrogantly decides that “[the dog] is a bitch” and to “go and buy ten more dogs with [the money]” (24). This contrast between rich and poor highlighted within Tom and Myrtle’s relationship depicts how even between two polar opposite people, money will have the same negative affect on each of their mindsets. The way Fitzgerald characterizes Myrtle from the start as one with a personality and relationship with money similar to that of Daisy illustrates perfectly how greed and avarice have permeated the minds of even those without it in the first place. With this exchange, Fitzgerald characterizes Tom as one with faux power, making people believe that with his surplus wealth, he can do anything, however, as the book progresses, the only thing he can do with his wealth is win those that see wealth as power, like Daisy or Myrtle.

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Tom's “supercilious” manner stems from the perceived power he uses to manipulate others. However, Tom's behavior traces back to his obsession with material possessions. For instance, when Nick visits the Buchanan residence for the first time, he describes Tom's home as a "factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy" (9). This description highlights how Tom's opulent lifestyle is meant to impress others as if he tries to create an image based on power and wealth rather than character. Nick’s description of his house as an imitation implies that it lacks any genuine substance, and is merely a superficial display of wealth.

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In the text, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses a wide range of literary techniques to convey a lack of spirituality, and immorality. Techniques such as characterisation, symbolism, and metaphors help to cement the ideas Fitzgerald explores. However, there are some features to this world that redeem it. Which are displayed through expert execution of techniques like characterisation, contrast, and repetition. The world of The Great Gatsby is home to many morally corrupt and spiritually empty characters however, the world itself is not a spiritual and moral wasteland.

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The Roaring Twenties was all about glam, money, status, and lies. Nick tells the story of how every character chases the false illusion of the American Dream. In Fitgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, he glorifies and condemns consumerism. Nick describes how the past cannot be repeated, the differences between West Egg and East Egg, and selfishness and destruction within the characters. Beneath the surface, every character is mischievous and has the desire to chase their dream.

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He considers money is capable of corrupting even the most innocent of people, who were living in peace and tranquility. Fitzgerald paints a picture of the greed that infects our world to this day. He addresses the problem with the rich which is still a relevant problem today. Fitzgerald represents the social elite as

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The Great Gatsby GEOGRAPHY Throughout the novel, places and settings symbolize the various aspects of the 1920s American society that Fitzgerald depicts. East Egg represents the old aristocracy, West Egg the newly rich, the valley of ashes the moral and social decay of America, and New York City the dissolute, amoral quest for money and pleasure. Additionally, the East is connected to the moral decay and social cynicism of New York, while the West is connected to more traditional social values and ideals. Themes: The American Dream "Whereas the American Dream was once equated with certain principles of freedom, it is now equated with things.

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Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism in Gatsby The novel of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is infused with symbolism. The symbolic meanings in the novel are fluid to a certain point; Because, they mean different things to different readers, as well as the characters in the case of this novel. Fitzgerald’s use of symbols such as: the eyes of T.J Eckleburg, the Green Light, and the Valley of Ashes is prevalent throughout the novel. The eyes of T.J Eckleburg represent different things to different characters, such as God, the haunting past, and vigil.

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