Symbolism Of Green Light In The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald was an introvert and intelligent man who never graduated college. Instead he took the path of becoming a lieutenant during World War I. He later fell in love with a girl named Zelda Sayre. Zelda was no ordinary girl, but a drama queen with an enormous desire toward wealth and leisurely partying. To win Zelda’s heart he needed to become wealthy. He decided to publish his first book which ended up being successful. He became wealthy and attracted Zelda toward him. Fitzgerald gets overjoyed and reckless with his wealth by drinking and having parties. He felt like he had achieved the goal of the American Dream, which was the ultimate accomplishment in that time period. His reckless behavior arose many bad events that occurred in his

Gatsby intensely ponders upon the meaning of this green light, but to the readers, this is an important symbol. At first, the green light signifies wealth and money. Green is evidently the color related to dollar bills. The light indicates that a wealthy person is the owner of that house with the dock. There is also a more important meaning for this green light, which signifies Gatsby’s dream for Daisy. Gatsby acknowledges the green light when “…he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away…” (Fitzgerald 39). Fitzgerald specifically mentions “…far away…” because the green light, otherwise know as his dream for Daisy, was inevitable beyond Gatsby’s reach. Further research shows that the green light also symbolizes a green traffic light. Green means go and since it was at Daisy’s house, Gatsby metaphorically wanted to go through this traffic light. He purchased a car and drove through this metaphoric traffic light, sparking Daisy’s interest for him and his

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 293). These words describe Gatsby as being stuck in the past. The phrase “So we beat on, boats against the current…” describes how Gatsby was swimming against his life, trying to ultimately swim against time. He wanted to change his future by desperately changing the past. He wanted to gain Daisy because they were together in the past and that is all that he wanted. He did not comprehend that what has happened, happened and he cannot change