What Does The Green Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

Symbols are something that contribute to a greater range of meanings and associations beyond itself. Authors will put symbols into their literary works in order to express an idea, give meaning to something, or to connect a theme or literary meaning. Symbols are quite apparent in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. In Fitzgerald’s novel, Jay Gatsby, wishes to reunite with his past lover, Daisy Buchanan (or then, Daisy Fay). With the help of his new neighbor, Nick Carraway, who is cousins with Daisy, they are able to try and get them to reunite. Though, things do not work out for Gatsby, and Daisy does not end up leaving her husband, Tom Buchanan, for Gatsby. Throughout the novel, a green light that is placed at the end of Daisy’s

The green light does just that. The first time we meet Gatsby, he is seen by Carraway reaching out towards something. As Carraway looks closer, he is reaching towards a distant, minute green light. He sees Gatsby tremble as he is reaching out (20-21). Right away, it is seen that Gatsby has a deep connection with, and almost a desire for the light. The reader slowly begins to learn that the green light is fixated at the end of the dock at Daisy’s home across the bay in East Egg. It is explained that Daisy and Gatsby were once a couple, but then Daisy ended up marrying another man, despite any feelings she had for Gatsby (76). Gatsby, wanting Daisy back, fixates himself and his mansion right across the bay from Daisy’s house, with the green light in view (78). He sees the green light and to him, that light is his hope. The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams of being with Daisy again. This ambition really pushes everything that he does throughout the book. When he does, at first, believe that he has won Daisy back, when he is showing her around his mansion, he starts to lose the importance of the green light. As they are looking out over the bay from his house, the mist prevents the light from shining through to their focus (93). It seems as if he has achieved his dreams of reuniting with Daisy, so the significance of the light appears to have vanished.