The Great Gatsby Symbolism

Colors White Yellow Green Water Eyes Blue Grey Red Cars Eggs

White Represents: Façade behind which characters hide beauty, cleanliness, wealth, innocence, virginity and laziness

White Examples Daisy and Jordan’s clothes Gatsby’s suit Buchanan’s mansion

Yellow (Silver & Gold) Represents: Wealth, corruption, dishonesty

Yellow (Silver & Gold) Examples: The golden haired girls at Jay’s party Daisy’s accessories Jay’s car Hair color

Green Represents: Hope, rebirth, to “go”, youth, longing, choice, serenity

Green Examples: Daisy’s dock light The interior of Jay’s car Nick’s grass Nick talks about the green light at the end of the book he says "It eluded us then, but that's no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch our arms out farther...."

Blue Represents Heaven, fantasy, lost time, unhappiness

Blue Examples Jay’s lawn –escape from reality Tom’s car –unhappiness of marriage George’s eyes –dreams of escape T.J. Eckleberry’s eyes -God

Grey Represents: Examples: Industrialization, dreary, bleak, lifeless Valley of Ash

Red Represents: Death, abuse, violence, destruction

Red Examples: Tom Buchanan Tom’s carpets Myrtle’s nose Myrtle’s death Gatsby’s pool water

Water Represents: Barriers and boundaries Gatsby’s restraints from Daisy Abandonment

Water Examples: Oxford Tea Party rain storm Swimming pool Gatsby’s funeral

Eyes Represents: Examples: Observant, omnipresent, watchful, non-judgmental Examples: Owl-eyes T.J. Eckleberry Nick Moon

Cars Represents: Examples: Industrialization, status symbol, carelessness, recklessness Examples: The broken wheel Jay asking Nick to set up meeting Jay’s car Tom’s car The drive to NYC

Eggs (White covered by yellow) Represents: Pure façade, while rotten inside Examples: Daisy’s clothes & accessories Jay’s suit & accessories New vs. Old Money

Prepared for The Great Gatsby Devon Christopher Adams © 2002