Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
The ‘roaring twenties’ were a period of great social change. This time period was an easy time for the upper class, characterized by mass spending, boisterous parties, and carefree actions. The affluent lived seemingly perfect lives, however, much of this was just a façade. In reality, the lives of the rich were ‘gilded’, alluring on the outside, but tarnished on the inside. The outer appearance of the sought after lives that the rich lived are exemplified by F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby. A variety of tools are used by Fitzgerald in his novel to portray the wild emotions and feelings of the upper class throughout the book, with one of the main literary elements used being color. Fitzgerald’s usage of the color gold portrays traditional wealth and success, which contrasts with the usage of the color yellow, a fake gold, to symbolize desperation and corruption.
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Tom and Daisy, whom reside in East Egg, are a clear example of the old wealth class because when Nick first catches sight of their house, he describes it as, “Glowing with reflected gold” (Fitzgerald 9). The old money status of the Buchanans is practically visible simply by looking upon their home. When Gatsby visits Daisy in her home for the first time, he takes care to impress her. Nick describes the scene as, “The front door opened nervously, and Gatsby, in a white flannel suit, silver shirt, and gold-colored tie, hurried in” (90). Gatsby’s attire and choice of tie has symbolic meaning behind this tiny detail, meaning to show off his wealth and status. This is a main reason for his lust and desire for Daisy, the “golden girl" (128). She serves an idealistic purpose, for Gatsby attaining her means he is one step more more included in high