Symbolism is what makes a story complete. In "The Great Gatsby" Fitzgerald cleverly uses symbolism. Virtually anything in the novel can
be taken as a symbol, from the weather, to the colors of clothing the
characters wear. There are three main symbols used in The Great Gatsby, they are The East and West Egg, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, and the eyes of Dr.T.J. Eckleburg.
One of the most important symbols in the novel is class and social
standing. It is like a barrier for almost every character. East and West
Eggs act as a symbol of this by its physical makeup. Tom and Daisy live on the
East which is far more refined and consists of people with more money and
a higher social status. East Egg also represents the "old money." Nick and
Gatsby are on the West, which is for people who don't have any real
standing, even if they have money. The West Egg represents the "new money." The
green light shines from the East Egg to the West Egg luring Gatsby towards what
he has always wanted. And Daisy, the woman that Gatsby has always wanted but
never gets, lives on East Egg. There is also a barrier of water between
the two cities that keeps people like Daisy and Gatsby apart from one another
and keeps them from reaching their goals and what they want in life.
Another symbol used in the novel was colors. The first was the green
light. The light was only a light, however to Gatsby it becomes his dream
for the future. The light symbolizes hope and dream. The dream is Daisy.
Gatsby buys the house across the bay so he can see the Buchanan's light.
Later in the story when Gatsby has Daisy the importance of the light
diminishes. The color yellow in the story often represents death. Myrtle
dies after being hit by a yellow car. Another example of yellow
representing death is the scene just before Gatsby enters the pool, "He shook his head
and in a moment disappeared among the yellowing...