The Color Gold In The Great Gatsby

Essay by leesinHigh School, 12th gradeB, November 2014

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Mike Diep

ENG4U

Ms. Mendham

November 5, 2014

Title

Wealth and materialism is clearly shown with Fitzgerald's use of color gold. It appears throughout the novel of "The Great Gatsby" as a symbol of wealthiness and materialism. The author uses this color several times throughout this novel to construct a theme that the value of the American dream has been devalued from opportunities and success, to the pursuit of material goods. Fitzgerald's use of colors, especially gold, displays the degradation of value of the American dream to obtainment of materials and wealth. It is displayed by the contrast of gold and yellow, the lower and middle class trying to obtain materials with gold, and using gold in simple and normal objects.

The gold color is similar to yellow but however the value of gold is much greater. Fitzgerald contrasts the two throughout the novel to represent the pursuit of the American dream. "The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun, and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music, and the opera of voices pitches a key higher" (40). The event takes place at Gatsby's house with the orchestra playing music. The author describes the orchestra playing a yellow cocktail music. The use of yellow is to describe the overall atmosphere of the party and to contrast the difference between gold. The author uses yellow instead of gold is to show that the guests at Gatsby's party are in pursuit of the American dream. The orchestra enhancing the meaning of yellow because it is heard throughout the party.The overall message of what Fitzgerald tries to say connecting these two ideas is that these people have devalued the American dream; the guests attending a party that is seemed to be wealthy and materialistic.