What Does Money Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Symbolism In The Great Gatsby
In novels, the use of symbols add flavor and meaning to those who care to look for them, and thus makes them near-essential to understanding an author’s purpose. Symbols are hidden messages in the form of objects or dialogue within the story that the author uses to communicate with the reader a deeper understanding, even if deep analyzation is not uncommon in such communication. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, better known as F. Scott Fitzgerald, connects the different symbols throughout his novel, The Great Gatsby, to pinpoint an elaborate meaning towards the story that may not be so obvious at first contact. Symbols such as “color” or “money” are more often than not caught on to in a single dry run of a text. Whereas …show more content…

If one has no money, he is no one in society. Money affects different people in different ways throughout the novel. Gatsby made his life what it is due to daisy’s greed for wealth and social class. Gatsby throws huge magnificent parties, hoping that it’ll attract Daisy one day but instead it only leads him to being used by people. Money is Gatsby’s means to obtain the American dream. It meant that he’ll finally have a chance at getting Daisy yet, it turned out to be an obstacle. Gatsby gained wealth to impress Daisy he had what was considered "new money" and he tried to hide his wealth from people so that Daisy would not find out. The "new money" was money that was earned through an occupation or some operation. Gatsby earned his money through illegal actions with the mob and bootlegging alcohol. People who had "old money" received their money through their family as it was passed from generation to generation. These people came from East Egg and included in this group was Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is continually searching for happiness outside of herself because she has a lack of inner values and true confidence. The effect money has upon her is that she’s married to a wealthy man in which she says she loves but her love for Tom is influenced by his wealth, which is considered as “old money”. It is ironic that Tom’s scorn for Gatsby is based on his background – Gatsby’s lack of money, education, and class – and not the fact that Gatsby has been sleeping with his wife. Tom and Daisy flirt from here to there without a care in the world. That’s what their money allows. While it’s easy to see why most people would envy them, they seem to have no purpose in their lives beyond cultivating their reputations and spending money. Unlike the rest of the characters in the story, George is not wealthy or corrupted by his money and greed. However, unfortunately the wealth and greed of other people is his

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