“The Great Gatsby”, written by the eminent American novelist Francis, was honored as cornerstone of literature in Jazz Age. The story sets in the background of America society in twentieth century, describing about the depression of a rich man Gatsby, who constantly pursues “American Dream” in his life. The fiction consists of several themes such as idealism and modernism to underscore the social and economic injustice. What’s more important, the wide usage of symbolism is one of exemplary and remarkable features in “The Great Gatsby”. Most of elements in the story, the context of story, the characters’ personality and the features of objects have their own respective symbolic meanings. This research paper analyzes some specific usage of symbolism in the fiction, describes how they function to promote the development of whole content, and illustrates how they sharpen what Francis wants to express through out the story.
In the first place, the context of “The Great Gatsby” refers to the location and culture of
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In the first chapter, after Nick left Daisy’s house at night, he saw a handsome man standing in the lawn. It was the first time he saw Gatsby. Gatsby held up his hands and faced to the dark sea, staring on the green lantern which were glowing dimly. The simple lantern was so attractive to Gatsby that his behavior confused Nick. As the content of story develops, Gatsby described his dream to Nick that he loved Daisy and hoped one day he could escape with her from America. Therefore, the green lantern symbolizes Gatsby’s hope to cross the sea with Daisy and live happily with her. Gatsby also regarded the lantern as his navigator to American dream, so that’s why he held up his hands and tried to catch the light of lantern in darkness. Because the glow of green lantern never became faint in Gatsby’s eye, it symbolizes Gatsby’s resolution and confidence to achieve his American