F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” isn’t just an American classic that portrays the dreams, hopes, and disillusionments of the Roaring Twenties; it’s also a rich tapestry interwoven with color symbolism. From the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock to the Valley of Ashes’ grey desolation, colors are used meticulously to provide deeper layers of meaning to the narrative. This essay seeks to explore and unravel the significance of the prominent hues Fitzgerald employed, adding an additional dimension to his critique of the American Dream.
Green – The Elusiveness of Dreams
Arguably the most iconic symbol in the novel is the green light situated at the end of Daisy’s dock. For Jay Gatsby, this light is emblematic of his undying dream to reunite with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. More broadly, the color green encapsulates the broader human pursuit of unattainable desires and the American Dream’s elusive nature.
In the world of Gatsby, gold symbolizes the allure of wealth and the prosperity of the Jazz Age. Parties at Gatsby’s mansion are flooded with golden decorations and shimmering lights. However, the pervasiveness of yellow, as seen in Gatsby’s car or the twins at one of his parties, hints at the decay and moral corruption lurking beneath this gilded surface.
White – False Purity and Innocence. On the surface, white is often associated with purity and innocence, as seen in the dresses worn by Daisy and Jordan. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the characters associated with this color are far from the ideals it represents. In essence, white becomes symbolic of their facade, the exterior they show the world to hide their inner flaws and corruptions.
Blue – Illusion and Unrealized Dreams. Gatsby’s gardens are blue, his chauffeur wears blue, and even the inside of his mansion has a touch of blue. This color is symbolic of Gatsby’s illusions – his dreams of perfection and his idealized memories of Daisy. In some ways, blue epitomizes the melancholy of dreams that remain just beyond reach.
Grey – Lifelessness and Decay
The Valley of Ashes, a wasteland located between West Egg and New York City, is consistently described in shades of grey. This lifeless, bleak area represents the stark contrast between the wealth and extravagance of the neighboring cities and the moral decay that underpins them.
Conclusion:
Fitzgerald’s masterful use of color symbolism in “The Great Gatsby” elevates the novel from a mere narrative to a profound exploration of the human condition. Each shade, from the hopeful green to the deceptive gold, serves as a lens through which readers can delve deeper into the psyche of the characters and the societal norms of the era. It’s through this intricate web of color that Fitzgerald critiques the very foundations of the American Dream, illuminating its allure and its inherent flaws. When diving into the vivid world of “The Great Gatsby,” it becomes evident that every hue holds a story, a secret, and a lesson about ambition, love, and decay.
References:
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. “The Great Gatsby.” Scribner, 1925.
- Tredell, Nicolas. “F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby.” Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
- Gross, Dalton, and MaryJean Gross. “Understanding The Great Gatsby.” Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002.
