Color Symbolism in Thr Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald.

Essay by ChiKountryGirlHigh School, 10th gradeA, March 2003

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Color Symbolism

The Great Gatsby is an extremely suspenseful and interesting novel due to the fact of Fitzgerald use of color symbolism. Color symbolism was used a lot through out the nineteen twenties even by Fitzgerald. He uses color symbolism a great deal throughout The Great Gatsby. Without color symbolism you would not truly understand the theme of The Great Gatsby. Color symbolism also explains feelings the characters experience. There are many different colors portrayed in The Great Gatsby. The main colors are green, white, gray, blue, and gold/yellow.

There are many possible meanings for the color green. One meaning is jealously, which decribes the character of Mr. Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is envious of Tom because he married Daisy. Gatsby is also jealous of all the wealthy people around him. Another meaning of the color green is money and how it rules society. Gatsby needs money to live the life he lives, and Gatsby feels that he needs money to be with Daisy.

The most reasonable meaning for the color green is hope. This would come from the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. Even though Gatsby's dream to be with Daisy was already past him, he always had hoped to be with Daisy. Also Gatsby had hope "for the green breast of tomorrow."

White is a very vital color to the novel. The character Mrs. Daisy Buchanan is described with the color white. White indicates Daisy's freshness and innocence. In the novel one meaning of white is purity. This would be Daisy lounging in her white dress, and talking about her "white girlhood." Another meaning for white is privilege. Daisy had the privilege to experience a lot since she had money. However, the different shades of white indicated that Daisy may not have an image of...