While there are many elements that make up a literary work, perhaps one of the most important elements is symbolism. More than any other literary element, it is symbolism that allows a work, whatever form it may take, to transcend traditional meanings and values, and bridge connections to greater meanings and values. Also important when discussing symbolism is the wide variety, which symbols can take in a literary work. From allusions of the mythological and religious, to the simple passing of the seasons, symbols in a literary work can take a wide variety of forms. However, perhaps some of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, symbols which can be found in a literary work are the colors of the world around us. Within F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, one can find a surprisingly large number of colors that act as major symbols for the novel. In fact, nearly every major character in the novel has some color that they are associated with. However, perhaps the most powerful association can be found with the focus of the novel, Jay Gatsby himself, and the color green.
The color green is a major tool in attempting to further understand the nature and ways of Gatsby’s character. While Gatsby definitely appears to be a mysterious and enigmatic character, when he is compared to the color green, much light can be shed upon his actions. From the very beginning of the novel, when the reader sees Gatsby gazing across the water at a green light, the color, as well as its many meanings, seem to stick with him. From that very first association, it becomes very easy to make the connections between Gatsby and his color. Green traditionally represents hope, wealth, new life and vitality, all of which seem to apply to Gatsby in some way. In terms of understanding Gatsby’s character, the ideas of hope and new life apply greatly. For instance, when Gatsby stares from the shore to the green light across the water, the reader can sense the hope and determination, which lies within him. In fact, it can be though that Gatsby represents the very last of the society that chose to believe and follow the American Dream.
Gatsby’s entire life was one based on hope and desire. When Gatsby’s true nature is discussed in Chapter Six, it becomes obvious that his color green is also representative of the transformation that he underwent in order to begin his new life. In addition to representing many qualities about him, green can also be viewed as the color that motivates Gatsby. Indeed, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock is Gatsby’s primary motivation in living his life, as well as green can come to represent the pursuit of wealth that Gatsby accomplished. In terms of understanding Gatsby, green also points out that Gatsby is not a man who lives his life based upon social stigmas or the concerns of society. Gatsby makes his own choices regarding his life and the people in it; he lives it based upon hope and determination. Indeed, hope is the very embodiment of Gatsby’s life, and there is no color which better represents it or contributes to a better understanding than green.
The connotations of the color green also apply to Gatsby in many ways. In terms of religious symbolism, green primarily represents that cycle of nature and the hope of an eternal life. Gatsby’s hope to have eternity spaced out before him is expressed directly in Chapter Six when Gatsby makes the statement, “‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!'” There is nothing Gatsby would rather have than an eternity to live his life and make his plans. One can also see Gatsby’s clumsy attempts at controlling the past, when, in Chapter Five, he knocks over Nick’s clock when he is brought face to face with Daisy for the first time. The act of knocking down the clock represents Gatsby’s failure to control the passage of time. Also, if one looks to the colors of birthstones, it the August, the month which bears a green stone, that represents happy marriage and a good family life. Note that the association with the birthstone is really Gatsby’s greatest hope in life, to live with Daisy in a happy marriage and have a family.
Gatsby expresses several times throughout the novel that he would like nothing more than for Daisy to declare that she “does not love Tom anymore”. Also, in Chapter Eight, Gatsby makes the statement that he feels as though, “Daisy and I were already married.” The clear association with marriage is yet another connotation of color that applies to Gatsby. Another very important image associated with the color green is the image of life and vitality. Indeed, Gatsby also seems to represent and embody the very image of youth and promise. One of the first things that Nick notices about Gatsby is his “life” and that he seems to be “alive”. Overall, there are a very large number of cultural color connotations that apply to Gatsby and his life.
While there are many important classes of symbolism that can be found within any novel, the color association and symbolism which can be found within The Great Gatsby is both unique and powerful. From the gray wastelands, which represent dullness, boredom and the lack of spirit that can be found in society, to Gatsby’s yellow car, which represents corruption and danger. Few novels make such an excellent connection between color and character. As a result, The Great Gatsby will always stand out as an excellent novel among the American literary tradition. However, few characters wear their chosen color better than Gatsby. Through the course of the novel, Gatsby comes to embody the very spirit of the color green. After reading the novel though, green seems to embody the spirit of Gatsby.
