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Symbolism and color. in The Great Gatsby. SYMBOL. A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. s ymbols in The Great Gatsby:. Colors the green light
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Symbolism and color in The Great Gatsby
SYMBOL A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention.
symbols in The Great Gatsby: Colors the green light the colors silver and gold the color white • Nick’s career vs. Gatsby’s career • unread books • Valley of Ash • the eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg • Rain • Dan Cody • East vs. West Egg • Heat • Wolfsheim’s cufflinks, • Gatsby’s faded timetable, • Gatsby’s car and clothing.
The Color GREEN The first time we see Gatsby, he is standing in his yard reaching out for a green light on Daisy’s dock. What could this green light symbolize for him? What could the color green itself symbolize?
Gatsby’s Career vs. Nick’s Career Gatsby made his money as a bootlegger while Nick made his money as a bondsman. Compare these two jobs. What is symbolic of each job and what it takes to achieve success in each career?
The Valley of Ashes With what you comprehend thus far in the novel, what could the valley of ash symbolize? Who lives in the Valley? What events occur in the Valley?
Silver and Gold There is a point in chapter four where Daisy is taken through Gatsby’s house and he shows her his wardrobe. When Daisy sees all of Gatsby’s silver and gold colored shirts, she begins to cry. What about these shirts made her cry? What do the colors silver and gold symbolize?
The Eyes of DR. TJ Eckleburg The eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg look down upon the Valley of Ash. What could these eyes symbolize? Keep in mind who they are looking over and what events occur before them.
Owl-eyed Man What do owls symbolize? What about large glasses? Or magnifying glasses? Place these together. What could the owl-eyed man be symbolic of (think about this in terms of Gatsby’s life)?
DAN CODY Who is Dan Cody? How was he important to Gatsby’s life? What is he symbolic of in terms of an influence to Gatsby?
Gatsby’s unread books Gatsby has a library of untouched books. None of them have been read. Why are these books important to Gatsby?
The color White What does the color white symbolize? Who is wearing white the first time we are introduced to them? How is this appropriate?
Wolsheim’s cufflinks This is one of the most interesting symbols in the novel. What could these cufflinks made of molars symbolize? What words could you use to describe these cufflinks if you saw them on someone in public? Think about the character that is wearing them: a powerful, wealthy, Jewish man. Is he refined? Where would he belong, West egg or East Egg?
Gatsby’s faded timetable In Chapter Nine, Gatsby’s father finds a faded timetable in his book. This timetable outlined the events of his day including: rise from bed, dumbbell exercises, study electricity, work, baseball and sports, poise and how to attain it, study needed inventions…. With your understanding of Gatsby’s character, what could this timetable symbolize?
HEAT In chapter seven, the characters are faced with a day of intense heat. What can heat symbolize? What effect can heat have on people?
New Money vs. Old money East Egg vs. West Egg What is symbolic in the differences between old money and new money? How does new money vs. old money allow people to “clean up” their messes?
COLOR SYMBOLISM Red: energy, passion, love, speed, strength, heat, fire, blood, war, violence, danger Pink: love, romance, and excitement Ivory: unification, quiet, pleasant, calm and simple Yellow: joy, betrayal, hope, sunshine, dishonesty, jealousy, illness, gold, hazard Blue: peace, cold, calm, unity, truth, confidence, security, cleanliness, loyalty, sky, water, depression, appetite supressent Turquoise: sophistication, water, calmness Purple: royalty, spirituality, mysterious, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning. Lavender: femininity, grace, elegance .
Orange: energy, balance, warmth, vibrant, flamboyant, demanding of attention • Green: nature, environment, healthy, renewal, youth, generosity, fertility, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor. • Brown: earth, hearth, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, and comfort. • Grey: intelligence, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, practical, old age, sadness, boring, calm • White: reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, precision, innocence, youth, winter, good, sterility, marriage, death, cold.
Black: power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, mourning, death