What Does The Light Symbolize In The Great Gatsby
The American Dream
Originally, the American dream concerned the unearthing of happiness. By early 20th century, however this vision was distorted into the need for wealth at all means, misguided that happiness could be brought by money. Fitzgerald uses a range of literary devices in The Great Gatsby to depict the American dream. Fitzgerald avoids the terminology “American Dream” while it is apparent that he has shown through motifs and symbols the impracticality of attaining contentment through the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses symbols to show how Gatsby’s unrealistic views led him to fail to achieve the American dream due to his inability to move on from the past, his misunderstanding of social classes, and his unrealistic expectations of …show more content…
“Possibly it had occurred to [Gatsby] that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever” (93). The truth that Daisy does not act to Gatsby’s hope is evident, making it hard for Gatsby to achieve his dream. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then but that’s no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” (180). When one examines the green light closely, it can be determined that the American Dream drives Gatsby to go after his life-long ambition. Fitzgerald uses the green light as a sign of jealousy, money, and hope. Gatsby chases the American Dream to ensure that he can be a man that every girl desires; he is most careful of how people see him in addition to his manifestation towards others. He wants to appear perfect before Daisy. "We both looked down at the grass – there was a sharp line where my ragged lawn ended, and the darker, well-kept expanse of his began. I suspected he meant my grass." (82). Daisy and Gatsby’s reunion begins amid rain pouring, proving melancholy and as the sun comes out, their love reappears. Gatsby attempts to discontinue time to re-establish his rapport with Daisy to how it was sometime back. In the end, however, Gatsby remains stuck in the past and he does not get what he wishes as the American Dream preoccupies
Originally, the American dream concerned the unearthing of happiness. By early 20th century, however this vision was distorted into the need for wealth at all means, misguided that happiness could be brought by money. Fitzgerald uses a range of literary devices in The Great Gatsby to depict the American dream. Fitzgerald avoids the terminology “American Dream” while it is apparent that he has shown through motifs and symbols the impracticality of attaining contentment through the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses symbols to show how Gatsby’s unrealistic views led him to fail to achieve the American dream due to his inability to move on from the past, his misunderstanding of social classes, and his unrealistic expectations of …show more content…
“Possibly it had occurred to [Gatsby] that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever” (93). The truth that Daisy does not act to Gatsby’s hope is evident, making it hard for Gatsby to achieve his dream. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then but that’s no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” (180). When one examines the green light closely, it can be determined that the American Dream drives Gatsby to go after his life-long ambition. Fitzgerald uses the green light as a sign of jealousy, money, and hope. Gatsby chases the American Dream to ensure that he can be a man that every girl desires; he is most careful of how people see him in addition to his manifestation towards others. He wants to appear perfect before Daisy. "We both looked down at the grass – there was a sharp line where my ragged lawn ended, and the darker, well-kept expanse of his began. I suspected he meant my grass." (82). Daisy and Gatsby’s reunion begins amid rain pouring, proving melancholy and as the sun comes out, their love reappears. Gatsby attempts to discontinue time to re-establish his rapport with Daisy to how it was sometime back. In the end, however, Gatsby remains stuck in the past and he does not get what he wishes as the American Dream preoccupies