Symbolism is outstandingly prevalent in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Though not explicitly stated as having effects upon the characters and plot, they have just as much to do with Gatsby’s story as Daisy or even his riches. The mansion, the Valley of Ashes, and the color green all hold a treasure trove of hidden meaning and insight to the psychology within the book. Beginning with Gatsby’s marvelous mansion, Fitzgerald presented readers with imagery of a beautiful house, full of wonders and a lovely stage for breathtaking parties. For the sake of this criticism, we shall look at the mansion as a representation of Gatsby himself. The outward appearance is astonishing and well under control, much like Jay. Nick described it in chapter I as, “a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a …show more content…
It lies between the city of Manhattan and the West Egg. "This is a valley of ashes--a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. Occasionally a line of gray cars crawls along an invisible track...the ash-gray men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud..." This melancholy place represents the death of the American dream. It stands permanently in limbo between the pinnacle of success (being Gatsby) and the average American worker, living in the city, trying to build something for their future. The stench of defeat permeates the air and takes the shape of poor workers that hardly have the motivation to get up and work every day. The geological location of this place also holds some metaphorical value. This place is a valley, meaning that it is the lowest point between two high points, another symbol of lowliness and