Water In The Great Gatsby Analysis

Lexa Coleman

Mrs. Willey

English III

March 15, 2016

The Great Gatsby

The fictional story of Jay Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, contains many instances where descriptive imagery establishes a greater theme to the novel. The meaning behind the novel is told throughout with the character’s diction and the many moods that have been displayed with great detail in the setting. This famous telling of Jay Gatsby’s life contains the vocabulary that will influence more impact on the overall theme. A big example of this is Fitzgerald’s use of water in multiple scenes of the book. The strategic uses of imagery within the story will give it more meaning while also keeping the reader entertained.

There are several moments in the

The rain as used in this chapter is a symbol of the complex and melancholy event of Gatsby and Daisy’s rekindling of their relationship after the 5 years they have been apart. Nick describes “Gatsby, pale as death, with his hands plunged like weights in his coat pockets, was standing in a puddle of water staring tragically into my eyes” (Fitzgerald 86). Fitzgerald’s description of Gatsby as he stands in the pouring rain allows the reader to fully grasp the emotion and the tenseness of the scene. In a novel such as this one with images of ashes and extreme heat as bad imagery, rain also does imply a new opportunity for renewal and regrowth. In one of the very last scenes of the book comes Gatsby’s lonely funeral, where, it is again raining. The funeral is described with depth “...reached the cemetery and stopped in a thick drizzle beside the gate...horribly black and wet...a little later, four or five servants...all wet to the skin” (Fitzgerald 182). These words of water imagery bring the feeling of an end of an era and sadness throughout the scene. The fact that hardly anyone showed up to Gatsby’s funeral, even after the large turnout of his parties, indicates

In chapter 6 Gatsby finally decides to tell Nick about the truth of his past and his less fortunate beginning. James Gatz, his younger self before deciding to be successful, finds himself hopeful for a new start once meeting his mentor Dan Cody. As they meet on his yacht on Lake Superior, this is the first time Gatsby, his new alter-ego, has flourished “... at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career--when he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior”(Fitzgerald 104). Gatsby’s description of this pivotal event in his life demonstrates his feeling of a fresh start. The fact that they met on a boat overseas, explains the significance the water will have throughout his life and most of all at the end of his life.. The water in this chapter has been a good thing for Gatsby and in that moment water has given him only hope and optimism for the future. Towards the end of the novel not only did Gatsby have good luck with water in his life, water also turned out to be misfortunate for him. As the story goes on and Gatsby moves across the Sound from Daisy, the only thing separating him and his goal is that giant body of water. Though at this time he still has a confidence about achieving this goal, but that