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What Does Yellow Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Gatsby aspired to live the American Dream and be with Daisy, but not all books have happy endings. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald symbolism is extensively used to develop themes. Fitzgerald employs the color yellow, the green light, and the social divide between West Egg and East Egg to develop a unique theme for each of them. The color yellow represents various emotions such as joy, optimism, betrayal, hope, and wealth which helps establish the mood in different chapters. Upon arriving at Gatsby’s party, Nick sees Jordan talking to some girls at Gatsby’s party. The quote states, “and gave ear to two girls in twin yellow dresses who stopped at the foot of the steps.” (Fitzgerald 47) The color yellow in this instance symbolizes money, …show more content…

That is when the orchestra started playing music and everyone was having a good time. According to Nick, "The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music." (Fitzgerald 44) The atmosphere at the party is filled with joy as everyone dances, sings, talks, or drinks. The green light in the book primarily symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and yearning for the American dream. When Gatsby did not see the light at Daisy’s bay he said, “If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay, “ said Gatsby. You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock. . Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever.” (Fitzgerald 98) When Gatsby is away from Daisy, he can see the green light, representing his longing for her. After the death and funeral of Gatsby, Nick visits his house for a final time. Nick expresses his thoughts about Gatsby passing by stating, “I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock.” (Fitzgerald 189) The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s unattainable love for Daisy and his failed pursuit of the American

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