Significant Symbols
Dog Leash
"There was nothing in it but a small expensive dog-leash, made of leather and braided symbol" (150)
- A symbol and reminder to WIlson of Myrtle's and Tom's affair
- It carries the sin of the world
- Reminder showing that no good can come from negative actions
- A symbol and reminder to WIlson of Myrtle's and Tom's affair
- It carries the sin of the world
- Reminder showing that no good can come from negative actions
Pool
"'Don't do it today,' Gatsby answered. He turned to me apologetically. 'You know, old sport, I've never used that pool all summer" (146)
- Water in the pool is a symbol of rebirth
- This symbolizes the rebirth of Gatsby's ability to dream, as he's been stuck on his dream's with Daisy for quite some time
- Also shows that since he swims during a chilly time of weather it is his attempt to almost stop time and go back to the way things used to be with Daisy
- Water in the pool is a symbol of rebirth
- This symbolizes the rebirth of Gatsby's ability to dream, as he's been stuck on his dream's with Daisy for quite some time
- Also shows that since he swims during a chilly time of weather it is his attempt to almost stop time and go back to the way things used to be with Daisy
The Holy Grail
- He had intended, probably, to take what he could and go - but now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail." (142)
- An illusion written by Fitzgerald to the medieval times where knights would endeavour crusades to recover an ancient relic known as the Holy Grail
- This relates to the theme of Gatsby being of chivalrous nature
- This was very uncommon at the time and shows how Gatsby differs from the others
- An illusion written by Fitzgerald to the medieval times where knights would endeavour crusades to recover an ancient relic known as the Holy Grail
- This relates to the theme of Gatsby being of chivalrous nature
- This was very uncommon at the time and shows how Gatsby differs from the others
The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg
- "God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing. You may fool me, but you can't fool God!" (152)
- George Wilson says the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are the eyes of God
- He confronts Myrtle and says God is always watching (through the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg)
- He decided that the eyes represent a moral standard and that God demands revenge for the sin that Myrtle committed, her adulterous affair
- This eventually leads him to go find the owner of the car
- George Wilson says the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are the eyes of God
- He confronts Myrtle and says God is always watching (through the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg)
- He decided that the eyes represent a moral standard and that God demands revenge for the sin that Myrtle committed, her adulterous affair
- This eventually leads him to go find the owner of the car
Colour Symbolism
- "Gatsby shouldered the mattress and started for the pool. Once he stopped and shifted it a little, and the chauffeur asked him if he needed help, but he shook his head and in a moment disappeared among the yellowing trees."
- This symbolizes the change in season and time passing by (time that Gatsby is without Daisy) and the yellow of the trees symbolizes Gatsby's corrupted sense of morality
- " The shadow of a tree fell abruptly across the dew and ghostly birds began to sing among the blue leaves" (144)
- Blue represent the illusion, but an illusion only masks reality (leaves aren't really blue, it just masks the corruption inside Gatsby)
- This symbolizes the change in season and time passing by (time that Gatsby is without Daisy) and the yellow of the trees symbolizes Gatsby's corrupted sense of morality
- " The shadow of a tree fell abruptly across the dew and ghostly birds began to sing among the blue leaves" (144)
- Blue represent the illusion, but an illusion only masks reality (leaves aren't really blue, it just masks the corruption inside Gatsby)