First of all, they have been seen as a symbol of status at all times. They saw it as a land of hope and infinite opportunities.Ĭars have a symbolic meaning in the novel as well. When Nick is looking at the green light, he compares it to the image of the newly found fresh and green land, just as how it seemed to the first settlers in America. “If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the bay… You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.” ( The Great Gatsby, chapter 5) What Does the Green Light Symbolize at the End of the Novel?Īt the end of the novel, the green light symbolizes a bit of a different idea. However, Gatsby cannot reach it, just like he can’t reach the green light on the other side of the bay. The light leads him towards it through the darkness. It represents his dreams and hopes about a happy future with Daisy. It is vital to explain the significance of the green light because it is the core of Gatsby’s character. The Significance of the Green Light in The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby, the green light is a significant symbol connected to Gatsby and Daisy. He can barely see it from the other side of the bay but still longs for it every night. “A single green light” is located at the end of Daisy’s dock in East Egg and carries a special meaning to Gatsby. Laughter is easier, minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word.” ( The Great Gatsby, chapter 3) Green Light in The Great Gatsby “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. This imitation shows how Gatsby is trying to become a part of the elite club by pretending to have good taste and manners. However, the yellow color is not exactly gold. Gatsby decided to decorate his mansion in the tones of yellow and buy a yellow car. Yellow in The Great Gatsby represents money and desire. Finally, the green color also represents the power of money that he’s got. Just like the “fresh, green breast of the new world” was an aspiration for the first explorers, green light gives confidence to Gatsby. Therefore, it symbolizes Gatsby’s hope and love. Green in The Great Gatsby is closely related to the green light of Daisy’s dock. On the other hand, white represents her hollowness since, except for the luxury of the upper class, she sees no purpose in life. It is a symbol of her purity and innocence, as well as her angelic beauty. She dresses in white, and her house has a lot of white. In The Great Gatsby, the white color is the Daisy‘s one. By the end of the novel, Nick mentions “the blue leaves” and “the blue smoke,” which may symbolize Gatsby’s beautiful dreams and the illusion of the American Dream. Gatsby’s “blue lawn” reflects on how sad and lonely he is, even in the middle of lavish parties. Blue in The Great Gatsbyīlue in The Great Gatsby represents loneliness and isolation. They help create this dreamlike setting of the story. Still, they play an essential role in the understanding of the main ideas. They fit quite well into the luxurious setting of the novel.īlue, white, green, and yellow are simpler and more discreet ones. There are many flashy colors in The Great Gatsby, such as gold and silver or pink. Therefore, it is hard to miss the meaning of a specific color. However, in Fitzgerald‘s book, they are tightly interconnected with the main ideas. 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.” ( The Great Gatsby, chapter 1)Ĭolor symbolism may be quite controversial from time to time since everybody interprets colors in their own way. “…He gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone – 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.