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The Great Gatsby Symbolism Analysis

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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. The Green Light at the end of the Buchanan mansion docks represents both the past and the future. The Valley of Ashes represents the dead American Dream. Firstly, there are the eyes of T.J Eckleburg. The eyes themselves are on a billboard, as an ad for an ophthalmologist. The eyes “watch” over the valley of ashes. “The eyes of doctor T.J Eckleburg… solemn dumping ground” (Fitzgerald 23). The eyes themselves represent a “Big Brother” (Mass surveillance in modern culture). They watch over the valley of ashes, acting as God to a certain point, to a certain character. George Wilson views the eyes as guidance. “God knows what you’ve been doing… T.J Eckleburg” (Fitzgerald 159-160). Wilson views the eyes as a godlike entity and uses the advertisement to justify his murder of Jay Gatsby. A central symbol of guilt, judgement, and God. It invests in the valley with a moral intensity. Throughout the novel, the mention of God and the eyes
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"God sees everything," repeated Wilson. "That's an advertisement," Michaelis assured him” (Fitzgerald 88). This piece of text connects the eyes of Eckleburg to the eyes of God. In a way, that he sees all things and it is a sign of keeping people accountable for their wrong doings. “The eyes also symbolize the corruption of America’s people.

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This is accomplished through the use of symbols such as the Valley of Ashes, The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and The Green Light. These 3 symbols play a huge roll in the novel for each of them are massively important in their own ways. Mid-way between New York City and West Egg, lies the Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes is a dreary place symbolizing the moral descent of society. As described in the novel it is, “A fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.”

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In the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby symbolism is shown all throughout the story with Gatsby as he was in the war shows how he goes insane at times with other people. Another symbol used in the book is how the author uses “east and west eggs” to show two different villages where gatsby and daisy live. The most important symbol of the story was the green light at the end of daisy’s dock not only can symbolize the money that gatsby gained for Daisy but also shows Gatsby’s dream to change what happened, it gives Gatsby something to hope for. All in all Symbolism is shown all throughout the story with all the main characters but Gatsby stood out the most in the story; even being insane.

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