What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, is a timeless illustration of the false reality of the American Dream. The American Dream is the belief that someone can achieve what they want in life with hard work and perseverance.The novel takes place during the roaring twenties, an era of economic prosperity,the jazz age and mass consumerism that involves the reader in an extravagant and luxurious world where social status is everything. However,Fitzgerald uses the 1920s to convey a tale beyond the extravagant parties and wild profligacy.The Great Gatsby follows Jay Gatsby,a mysterious nouveau rich who uses his new wealth obtain Daisy’s Buchana attention,a daughter of old money from his past when he was preparing for World War l.Throughout the novel,Gatsby throws extravagant parties that display his new wealth and grasps the attention of tenants in East Egg.Gatsby believes that his wealth will accomplish his goal of generational wealth that Daisy has.How is released by Gatsby’s …show more content…

Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses symbolism to expose how the American Dream is unattainable highlighting the social barrier that creates its illusion. Throughout the novel, the green light is first introduced as a symbol of hope and the American dream.The green light,which is located at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s desire for a future with Daisy. But as the novel progresses, Fitzgerald uses the green light to represent the belief that Gatsby is constantly searching for something higher than himself that is out of reach and in this case it is Daisy. The image of Gatsby reaching out towards the green light symbolizes his endless pursuit of Daisy,his unattainable dream.Gatsby observes that the green light remains on throughout the night implying that he spends every night staring out his window at the green light,pinning for his