Throughout The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism in unique varies ways. It can be difficult to spot his use of symbolism because of his incredible ability to intertwine the meanings, monumental and minor, within the text. He has a way of giving sudden intimations that could be easily skipped over.
One main example of his ideas behind symbolism is the green light. “…He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way…[I] distinguished nothing except a single green light…that might have been the end of a dock.” (p.21, Fitzgerald) In this section of the novel Nick Caraway is coming back from spending the day with the Buchanan’s. He spots Gatsby out on his lawn looking out vehemently almost as if he is in a state of desperation. Nick finds this motion somewhat peculiar and as he looks back to Gatsby, he sees that he has vanished. The green
…show more content…
After this awkward event Gatsby continuously stumbles over his apology to Nick saying he will get it fixed. Nick simply states that there is no need because the clock is already broken. This very moment in the novel tells you that Gatsby’s attempts to win Daisy over are broken and he is just wasting his time. In chapter 6 Nick tells Gatsby “You can’t repeat the past.”(p.110, Fitzgerald). We can only imagine that Gatsby is dumfounded by this statement as he says, “Can’t repeat the past... Why of course you can!”(p.110, Fitzgerald). To Gatsby recreating the past is like putting one foot in front of the other or making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He withholds a deep inability to let Daisy go at all costs. Gatsby spends almost his whole life accumulating wealth all for the love of Daisy