What Does The Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

n our lifetime as humans, we spend much time thinking about the dreams we wish to accomplish. This dream can differ for everybody—some may aspire for fame, money, and others love. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the characters of Jay Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson, and George Wilson represent the idea and the pursuit of a better, more idealistic life. Unfortunately, these aspirations that each character sought would ultimately lead to their demise. The symbol of a green light represents the idea of people being able to chase after their dreams even if they are unsuccessful in the process.
In literature, the symbol of a green light has been notoriously known as a sign to go and follow that light: just like the color in the traffic light. The

Daisy and her husband, Tom, reside in the East Egg, where the upper-class populace resides, just across the water from Gatsby in the West Egg. At the end of Buchanan's dock rests a blinking green light, which Gatsby directly views from his dock. Nick Carraway, the narrator and Gatsby's friend notices that this is a metaphoric symbol when Gatsby "stretche[s] out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way.. he was trembling and [Nick] distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock" (Fitzgerald 19). Gatsby interprets the light as if it is his "American Dream" (Daisy), and the color green demonstrates the idea to "go," as previously established. Hence, he stretches his arms out to the idea of a revival of his past relationship with Daisy and now knows that he must pursue after her. The use of "trembling" indicates his heightened emotions with the situation that he has conjured in his head. The light gives him a butterfly feeling in his stomach, thus why he quivers with excitement as he reaches his arms out. The depiction of Gatsby reaching across a "dark water" demonstrates the lengths he would go through to be with Daisy. The description of the water shows that although the path to her love is ominous and unknown, Gatsby is willing to do

In this instance, it is the culprit of his demise due to the belief that he was responsible for killing Myrtle Wilson. When Nick prompts the idea of leaving for a bit, he tells him, "he would not consider it. He could not possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do" (113). This demonstrates his dedication to Daisy, as he refuses to leave the town until he knows Daisy's final decision regarding her staying with Tom or moving on with him. Even though Nick attempts to hint that it is unsafe for Gatsby to stay, he foreshadows Gatsby's eventual death. Myrtle's husband went in thinking Gatsby was the one who killed her and subsequently killed him. Similar to the famous song "My Way" performed by Frank Sinatra. Gatsby knowingly stays put, ready to "face [his] final curtain" (Sinatra) of Daisy's decision, despite the risks involved. Unfortunately for Gatsby, he never accomplished his dream but died in "[his] way," pursuing his green light,