How 'The Great Gatsby' opens effectively and prepares the reader for the rest of the novel.

Essay by chelstingHigh School, 12th gradeA, February 2004

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'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald opens effectively and prepares the reader for the rest of the novel. Fitzgerald does this by using techniques such as symbolism and setting.

The symbolism in the first few chapters of the novel is very important as it prepares the reader for the rest of the novel. A good example of this is in the first chapter when Daisy, Tom and Nick go into Daisy's garden. " 'Why candles?' objected Daisy. She snapped them out with her fingers." This is important as light represents Gatsby's hope, which Daisy is snapping out. This also shows how Gatsby is associated with light and Daisy is associated with the absence of light, which is important in the rest of the novel. The snapping out of the candles is foreshadowing what will happen. Gatsby is also seen on the pier. "He stretched out his arms...

a single green light." This signifies Gatsby reaching out to Daisy. The green light is the symbol of Gatsby's hope for Daisy. As the light is artificial, it shows that Gatsby's hope is false. The importance of the symbol of light is first shown in the opening of the book. "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths." This simile subtly introduces the symbols importance. Gatsby throws all his lavish parties in the hope that Gatsby will attend. He hopes she will see the lights. "Several hundred feet of lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden." The importance of light is shown in the opening of the novel. Fitzgerald subtly introduces symbols at the beginning of the book in order to prepare for the rest of the novel, as the symbol of light is extremely significant.

The setting in the novel is particularly...