F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby contains infinite examples of symbolism; however, the one that has the greatest significance relates to the color scheme that is presented throughout the novel. He discreetly labels specific objects and people with a color; however, as the story reestablishes the color schemes, not every color has one meaning. Green, yellow, gold, white, grey and blue all contain an immense amount of importance as they assist the plot, setting and the emotions that the characters encounter. The burst of color that the readers explore as they turn the novel’s pages allows Fitzgerald to share the gift of involvement while also providing them with the privilege of vividly witnessing it. Fitzgerald adopts an array of symbolic colors in order to join the interwoven motifs of hope and unsuccess together.
The color green appears in one of the most meaningful examples of symbolism presented as Gatsby is standing on his dock looking out over the immense darkness the consumes waters that unfortunately separate Gatsby from his desires: “…he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward–and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness”(Fitzgerald, pg…). Gatsby’s desires and dreams of the future resided in the light that dimly illuminated the somber area between the East and West Egg. The green light prompted Gatsby to oversee a bootlegging company, therefore, allowing him to live the life of a millionaire; of which he assumed would undoubtedly assist him to accomplish his goal. He molds his life around the green light as he wishfully strives for the impossible. Fitzgerald employs the green light to symbolize Gatsby’s disillusion of his hopeless desire to relive the past with Daisy who lies just out of his reach, yet who will never be attainable.
According to Kevin Rea, the color green symbolizes several emotions, objects, as well as future advancement or success as he includes, “Green seems the most striking colour employed: it carries religious overtones of cardinal sin (envy); sensations of potential fruitfulness or growth as the colour of spring; the obvious interpretation of jealousy; and, as the colour of the dollar, a sense of purely material richness”(Kevin). The light itself symbolizes the confidence that Gatsby allocated to his wealth of which brought promises of the prosperity of the love that Daisy and he would one day be able to share. Gatsby wanted to forge himself into a life of wealth that was foreign to him as a young man. He was hopeful in that this new life that he would soon create would aid him as he strove for wealth and love. As Gatsby sought a solution to capture the attention of Daisy he began by using illegal tactics to earn substantial amounts of money, as well as hosting ridiculously excessive parties. The more that he attempted to flaunt his fortune the less fortunate he becomes. The green light that seemed to be at an arm's length to Gatsby, but in reality, it was never at a feasible distance for him to grasp.
Daisy’s old money heritage ultimately disqualified Gatsby as a potential lover because of his past life of poverty. While being unwaveringly focused on acquiring Daisy’s love his determination blinds him from recognizing all of the possible outcomes that his attempt may bring. Ms. Moran a teacher interviewed by Sara Rimer suggests that it is important for students to aim for certain goals in life, but it is also beneficial for the student to understand that there will be disappointment and grief along the way: ‘''One reason students appreciate the book is that there is a level of honesty that they value. They need these honest stories to perhaps balance what is otherwise presented as this shining possibility for everyone''’( Sara Rimer). Disappointment did not enter Gatsby’s mind as he pursued after Daisy, and as a result, his excessive determination became fatal. His determination provided him with many materialistic items such as a gaudy mansion, elaborate cars, as well as, clothes aplenty. Although he had everything that money could buy there was still one thing that his money could not afford-Daisy’s love. Gatsby depended on his wealth, a symbol of the American Dream to fulfill his dream and to ultimately bring him closer to the green light.
Just as Gatsby thought he had acquired all of the details of his quest for Daisy’s love devised, he quickly became aware of a major obstacle that would interrupt his plans, Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband. He was one of the red lights that kept Gatsby from pursuing his dream of being with Daisy. Tom came from the same social and wealth class as Daisy did. As Gatsby becomes overly jealous of Tom the green light that once drove his ambitions, now taunted him as a reminder of what will never be his.
Fitzgerald subtly employs the colors yellow and white to describe Gatsby’s new life of wealth and dreams of prosperity: "Over the great bridge, with the sunlight through the girders making a constant flicker upon the moving cars, with the city rising up across the river in white heaps and sugar lumps all built with a wish out of non-olfactory money. The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world" (Fitzgerald, pg 68). Yellow and white evoke an awareness of abundance and purity. These two symbols function collectively as they form a picture of a newcomer entering into a foreign land full of promise for the future and a lack of real-life experience, therefore, leaving him unblemished by disappointment. Yellow is present in the light, music, and girls that make an appearance at Gatsby’s parties. Gatsby’s parties are drenched in the bright, optimistic color as he awaits the propitious moment in which he is able to possess Daisy’s love.
Dilworth compares the gold color of Jordan Baker’s arm to a form of idol worship when he mentions: “Gold, used in the Old Testament as the colour of the coveted idolatrous calf, hints at the idea of idol worship(Dilworth). Gold symbolizes Gatsby’s complete adoration for Daisy as he adjusts his focus solely on her. It also symbolizes his obsession with money and his materialistic possessions. He isolates himself from his guests at his parties as he utterly seeks to find Daisy among the massive crowd of attendees. Gatsby also idolized the past as he tries to relive his life with Daisy while trying to maintain his present situation. Gatsby idolizes his past with Daisy, his future with Daisy, as well as his material wealth. His bootlegging company deprived him of a clean reputation, but provide him with the resources to grasp Daisy’s attention as she admits to loving him. By hosting these enormous parties he flaunts his wealth allowing all of his guests the privilege of worshiping the transformation from unsuccessful Gatsby to lucrative Gatsby.
The Valley of Ashes corresponds with the color gray. Gray is a tattered version of the vivid yellow tint that represented Gatsby’s zeal and determination. It symbolizes Gatsby’s tainted moralistic views of sin. This is proven when Gatsby willingly offers to take the blame for the death of Myrtle Wilson. He is found protecting Daisy with no concern for the consequences that would soon follow. His endless love for Daisy is proven true as he is murdered by George Wilson and lay dead in his own swimming pool. Dilworth suggests that Gatsby is displayed as an image of Christ dying to take away the sins of the world when he says:” And Gatsby is ultimately a Jesus figure in that he dies for Daisy’s sin. Her killing Myrtle is accidental and therefore cannot be a sin, but she flees the scene of the accident, and that is a sin as well as a crime. Gatsby has intentionally taken her crime upon himself”(Dilworth).
The color blue symbolizes upcoming disaster, mournful loss, as well as Gatsby’s forlornness. The reader is introduced to the color blue when T. J. Eckleburg’s blue eyes appear on the billboard that overlooks the Valley of Ashes, George Wilson's eyes, as well as Myrtle’s dress. Dilworth adds that Myrtles blue dress was not the correct size for her when he includes: Taking pleasure in Tom's appearance, Myrtle comes down dressed in blue. Yet she moves somewhat inelegantly as if the dress does not quite fit”(Dilworth). Tom’s affair with Myrtle not only affected themselves but also everyone who is involved in their lives. Myrtle knew that the life she desired to live with Tom was not possible, therefore, she settled for pleasure instead of a possibility. Just as Myrtle’s blue dress was not quite the most comfortable fit the lie that she was living with Tom certainly was not pleasant. Her unpolished lifestyle did not correlate with the exaggerated life of her lover.
Without the corresponding colors in The Great Gatsby, the book would lose a great deal of its symbolism. The colors aid the reader in discovering the diverse identities that the characters possess. The different shades of colors help the exposure of Gatsby’s compelling journey it begins with shining hope, but as the story progresses it gradually becomes a duller version of hope. Without careful examination one might miss the importance of such a subtle accessory; although, once noted the colors of the novel bring life to the inanimate objects that it is associated with. Therefore, providing each with their own state of emotion.