symbols
F. Scott Fitzgerald uses specific symbols for different characters in the novel. The characters give the objects meaning. George Wilson and the eyes of Eckelburg, Gatsby and the green light, etc. If the symbols mean nothing then the world in which they are planted becomes meaningless. To Gatsby the yes mean nothing but to George Wilson they are everything.
t.j. eckelburgAn old advertisement of two giant eyes looks over the Valley of Ashes. These cold blue eyes are the eyes of God and they see all. They see Daisy hit Myrtle, George lock Myrtle up, and Myrtle leave to see Tom.
Gatsby's car and clothes
Gatsby's clothing and his car are bright and colorful and convey an aura of luxury and happiness. When Daisy sees the colors she becomes happy and overwhelmed. The colors represent joy, happiness, and hope.
Gatsby's books
The fact that Gatsby's books and library are real show that he is real and that he is knowledgeable as well.
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colorsgreenThe color green represents hopes and dreams such as Gatsby's dream to have Daisy again. The light at the end of Daisy's dock is green and Gatsby reaches for it.
silver & goldSilver and gold symbolize the luxury that many of the characters bathe themselves in.
white
White is a pure color and when Daisy and Gatsby are reunited Gatsby brings white flowers.
Nick's timetable
Nick's timetable that lists all of the guests at Gatsby's parties is ironic. They show that everyone wanted to be around Gatsby while he was alive but when he died none of these people attended his funeral.
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the valley of ashesThe Valley of Ashes and the ash heaps represent blue collar workers and the third class citizens that live there.
east & west eggThe Eggs represent "new" money and "old" money. West Egg is the home of Gatsby and Nick, they are the new money. Daisy and Tom Buchanan live in East Egg, where the old money lives.
prejudice
The prejudice that Tom shows conveys his intolerance to others and it contradicts Nicks beliefs to be nonjudgmental.
WeatherWeather and time of day are an important thing in the novel. The temperature increases as the action rises. The climax of the novel is on the hottest day of the year while the falling action takes place during the beginning of autumn when the weather starts to cool down.
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