Symbolism is an invaluable literary tool that may be employed by authors or playwrights to aid in the development of characters or to display themes in novels and plays. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism heavily in his text "The Great Gatsby", as does Tennessee Williams in "The Glass Menagerie". Various symbols appear throughout the respective texts that allow the reader to gain insight into character's personalities and also add value to major themes and ideas in the texts.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is a text that is reflective of the Period in which it was written, the 'roaring' twenties. It was written in America during the mid-1920s, a time of moral decadence and feelings of complacency following the conclusion of the Great War. On the surface, the text appears to be about love, wealth and power, yet this first impression does not do justice to the text's many complexities and hidden depths.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1937, June 4The text also explores corruption, idealism, faith and the illusions of dreams through the use of a variety of images and symbols. Primarily, "The Great Gatsby" deals with the corruption of the great American Dream, personified by Jay Gatsby, a dreamer intent on procuring the attentions of his long-time love Daisy Buchanan at any cost. The American dream offers faith in the possibility of a better life. The main theory behind the dreams is the belief that material wealth alone can bring that dream to fruition, and to this concept, Gatsby was "faithful to the end".
For American's the car symbolises wealth and social status. Therefore it is suited for Gatsby to own one of the most majestic cars ever created. The car is yellow, a colour Fitzgerald uses repeatedly throughout to represent corruption and extravagant wealth. The use of the symbolic automobile can be...