4A+HW+-+Themes,+Motifs+and+Symbols

Ragna: LIGHT!
Light, as we all know is a recurring motif throughout the novel. It represents several things, such as happiness, hopefulness, the mystery and illusion of Daisy, the hope that Gatsby has for Daisy, the "green light" is often referred to as Daisy, and Gatsby's dream, and how he lives for that dream. The theme it supports is how Daisy represents the light, and how it's such an overwhelming feature in Gatsby's life. Examples from the text include:

// "He smiled like a weather man, like an ecstatic patron of // __// recurrent light..." //__ -This quote is important because it's right after the afternoon tea reunion that Gatsby and Daisy share, and where they find their love for one another once again. Fitzgerald incorporates "light" into this section because he wants to accentuate the fact that Daisy is back in Gatsby's life and he has finally found true happiness once again.

// "They [Daisy and Tom] came to the door with me and stood side by side in a cheerful square of light. As I started the motor Daisy peremptorily called "Wait!"" This again reincorporates light into the novel. The context is less clear, but I feel that Fitzgerald did this on purpose to illustrate this "cheerful square" and then Daisy abruptly ruins the image by calling 'wait'. This demonstrates that that perfect square is quite corrupt, and neither of them are fully 'cheerful' or happy. Light again is linked with Daisy.

//// "-he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, dar as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily, I glances seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light...." // //- This is an extremely important passage because it is when Gatsby is first introduced, and he is introduced as this mysterious figure who reaches out into the sea at this green light. This is the literal meaning, of course. The author is clearly trying to create a picture of hopelessness and desperation. Almost trying to describe Gatsby as pathetic. Gatsby is lonely, and uses the light as a metaphorical rescue of his problems. In other words, he wouldn't have any problems if the light (Daisy) was in his life.

**Karen- Green Green is an essential color in The Great Gatsby. It is mentioned many times throughout the novel, representing money(wealth), envy, and the American Dream. Green is the color of the dollar bills in America, which is a symbol for wealth. Also, because wealth is part of the American Dream, it too, is relevant. While there is no distinct color for emotions, green is usually seen as the color for jealousy, or envy.

Quotes: "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." (Fitzgerald 26) At the end of chapter 1, Nick sees Gatsby staring towards the green light, which is in fact Daisy's house. The green light represents the envy Gatsby has towards the East Egg, for they are the "old riches", a higher status between the two Eggs, representing more wealth. Also, Gatsby is also jealous of Tom, for he has Gatsby's dream girl, Daisy. Because the green light is from Daisy's house, it is a significant symbol of Daisy. The green represents the envy within Gatsby.

"I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors' eyes- a fresh, green breast of the new world." (Fitzgerald 189) Green is mentioned again in this quote. Fitzgerald describes the "new world" to be fresh and green, giving us a sense of hope. This ties to the American Dream, which everyone wanted a 'fresh' new world. The color green here represents the image of achieving one's dream, whether it be money or fulfilling your desires (envy).

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us." (Fitzgerald 189) This quote gives off the impression that Gatsby believed in wealth, money, and in his case, Daisy (the green light from her house). It tells the audience what is solely important to Gatsby. It also represents his aspirations, and the aspiring qualities one possesses with the color green. By using the color green, Fitzgerald sums all of Gatsby's desires into one word. ** //