What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby Essay
By: Paulina Kolakowski

Have you ever been seeking for more? More happiness, love, money, practically anything? Well in the 1920’s seeking a land that promises to give wealth and new opportunities when you are stuck in a land of poverty and barely have any opportunities seems to make one land a dream and one a valley of nightmares. You have the option to seize this singular opportunity, and to have a restart in life. This opportunity got to be known as the American Dream. In The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, a prevalent idea that is sought out throughout the novel is The American Dream. The American Dream that is being told right now is quite different from the original meaning of the American Dream. The original American

For Gatsby, the green light is a symbol of his longing for Daisy and his desire to be part of the wealthy elite- to acquire Daisy. Gatsby tied Daisy to his happiness and attained her as his ultimate dream. If Gatsby cannot have Daisy then he is unsatisfied. As Fitzgerald writes, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther" (180). This quote shows how the green light represents the unattainable ideal of the American Dream, as Gatsby is constantly striving to reach it but can never quite grasp it. The green light is a powerful symbol of the American Dream and the dangers of pursuing an unattainable ideal at any cost. It represents the illusion and false hope that the American Dream can provide, as Gatsby's desire for Daisy is based on an idealized and unrealistic image of her. Gatsby is in a constant battle with himself to attract Daisy away from her husband and make her fall in love with him and what they had 5 years ago. Gatsby never paid eye to the wealth he had acquired, everything that he did was in intent of Daisy returning. He put complete energy, and his whole life, into gaining Daisy and was persistent no matter what occurred. The green light is

For Gatsby, Daisy is the embodiment of the American Dream, and he has spent years trying to win her back. However, Daisy is also a symbol of the illusion and the false hope that the American Dream can provide, as she ultimately fails to bring happiness and fulfillment to Gatsby. As Nick observes, "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion" (Fitzgerald 95). This quote shows how Daisy represents the illusion and false hope of the American Dream, as Gatsby's desire for her is based on an idealized and unrealistic image of her. Gatsby remembers Daisy from 5 years ago when they used to date, but he seems to forget that he has not spoken to her since and he does not know who she is now. When you first take a look at Daisy, she is very beautiful and desiring, but as we read throughout the book we learn that Daisy has flaws just like everyone else. Gatsby is mesmerized by Daisy and tries to relive the past during the present, and does not realize that he is losing the present time as he speaks. He is in a constant dream that Daisy will return to him regardless of the fact she is married and has kids. This is how the American Dream is to some, as very promising and attainable when in reality