Symbolism in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

631 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Critical analysis of the great gatsby

Secrets, lies, and deception are what wind through this classic. In The Great Gatsby, it starts with knowing one thing and then learning about another that contradicts the first. With the mystery behind every action and the roles all the symbols play, The Great Gatsby can teach a lot to a reader. The most that is taught comes from two great symbols, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg and Owl Eyes. These two symbols help to relay a main part of the plot in this classic. With all the secrets being kept and all the deception being played, something, or someone, has to know the truth. Referenced in the movie, as well as in the book, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg see everything. The book hints at this when it states the characters driving “along the road under Doctor Eckleburg’s persistent stare” (Fitzgerald 23). The billboard’s eyes were always watching. In everything that Tom, Nick, Daisy, or Gatsby did, the eyes saw what really happened. Nothing could be hidden from them. Throughout the movie, the billboard would be flashed to after a dramatic scene that developed another secret to the plot. By doing this, the message that they see everything was put into our head. It was our truth to go off of and is a figure of God who sees all. But, God wasn’t the only one that saw all that happened. When we meet Owl Eyes, we get a different impression. Nick describes him as “a stout, middle-aged man, with enormous owl-eyed spectacles” (Fitzgerald 45). An owl is known as the wisest of the animals. When compared to an owl, the assumption is made that he may have other qualities besides just appearance. As in the movie, we see that Owl Eyes actually sees the affair Gatsby and Daisy are having. Though it’s not told as plainly in the book as it w... ... middle of paper ... ... to them in the beginning. It then goes on to just flash to them when needed. It is woven in to seem like a natural idea. It is added in a casual glance out the window after a major event. In this way, we see it as natural and true instead of characters trying to put an idea in our head. Though they may reference the billboard, the flashes make the theme stay in our head throughout the movie. Though very similar, the movie gives the themes something more. The way they approach a situation and how they show the symbols seem to relate the message clearer. The book does the same but some parts may not be as specific and relatable as the movie. But, both contain the two most important symbols, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg and Owl Eyes. Without these two symbols, both the book and the movie would be impacted for the worst and leave major themes out of the storyline.

Show More
Related

  • Minor Characters in The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fitzgerald uses Owl Eyes to build on the glory of the American Dream, the reader is able to see the possessions and theatrics that come along with it. The reader first sees Owl Eyes in Gatsby’s library; he is astounded by the fact Gatsby’s books are real. “Absolutely real- have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard . Matter of fact, they’re absolutely real.” (45) It shows Gatsby is like an act. Owl Eyes thought Gatsby was just making the illusion of everything ...

    Read More

  • Symbolism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    The color gold for example, as we know in our society this color would symbolize wealth and beauty however, in the novel it represents corruption and even death. Examples of this are represented in tiny details i.e. Daisy who can be considered “the golden girl”, Gatsby wearing a “gold” tie to meet Daisy. In the novel the eyes of TJ Eckleburg are also an important symbol because it represents that we are being watched without even knowing it, just as God would watch us. Fitzgerald embarks this symbol in several ways in the novel one being when George and Myrtle are facing the window and George makes the comparison with God to the eyes saying you can 't fool God and that God sees

    Read More

  • Essay On Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    In literature, symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors are used to make a plot or meaning deeper in a story or novel. They are used to hint at an emotion towards something without directly stating it. Symbols are an author’s way of enhancing the story whether the symbols are hidden or obvious they all are all carried with an important meaning behind them. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses symbolism to create a more realistic story for the reader. Many symbols are presented throughout the story but Gatsby’s house, the green light, and the East and West egg have a stronger meaning than the reader might think.

    Read More

  • Great Gatsby Symbols

    406 Words  | 1 Pages

    The objects that are represented in the story are very interesting. Most obvious is West Egg and East Egg which are described as white from the outside which represents purity and the yellow inside which is the rotten part. Owl eyes is the person who is all knowing in this book from the start. When he was first introduced he was introduced very positively. Cars had a big role in The Great Gatsby, they symbolized the status of the person and the careless and there reckless personality . In summer was the boiling part of the novel and conflict, where everything was told. Flowers symbolize everything in the great Gatsby grace, beauty and love.

    Read More

  • Gatby Symbolism Essay: Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

    707 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jay Gatsby is one of the few characters that has come significantly close to being successful in achieving his version of the American Dream, while others were scrounging to have a stable state of living in the “Jazz Age”. F. Scott Fitzgerald shows how the richer occupants in the East Egg have little to none tolerance for the lesser few in West Egg. The symbolism of the green light, billboard and Valley of Ashes assists the plot and emphasizes the themes in the novel.

    Read More

  • Two Meanings To Everything

    1050 Words  | 3 Pages

    Symbolism can mean and represent a wide variety of ideas, moments and memories in everyone's lives. In the novel The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, colors, names and objects symbolize different personalities, and ideas of the characters. Some of the symbols are more obvious and easier to pick up on than others.

    Read More

  • Essay

    649 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism is a key aspect to the novel. It helps the understanding of the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy by subtly reinforcing the message that F. Scott Fitzgerald is trying to get across. We see this through the use of colors, locations, and the ever present eyes of T.J. Eckleburg. These small details allows readers to live vicariously through the characters and makes your emotions fluctuate. Symbols are what made this book sensational.

    Read More

  • The Great Gatsby Ethical Analysis

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are perhaps the most important symbol in The Great Gatsby. The eyes can be taken as the eyes of God or even as us, the observers. We are observing the characters in what they do and analyzing them as an example of what is wrong or what is right. In this case, we are observing Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. We are observing their conducts and deciphering whether their actions are wrong or right.

    Read More

  • The Motif of Eyes in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    844 Words  | 2 Pages

    There I no doubt that the eyes seen throughout the story symbolize the corruption, demise of spiritual values, and the true emptiness of the American Dream during the 1920’s. This time eventually led to the Great Depression and the worst economic times our country has ever seen. There are many connections that a reader can find between life and The Great Gatsby. The biggest one being that there will always be people surrounding you that are genuinely bad people. However, if a person withholds from being like the horrible people that surround them, they show their true character and who they really are.

    Read More

  • The Complex Themes Hidden in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    1703 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although after reading “The great Gatsby” one may get a feeling of hopelessness, it one of those novels that leaves you inspired even long after reading it. It’s a masterpiece not only because of the thrillingly brilliant plot or memorable characters but also because of the life lessons that it teacher to the reader. It is not just a typical ...

    Read More

  • Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby - Symbolism and the Truth

    3885 Words  | 8 Pages

    Symbols and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby - Symbolism and the Truth That Lies Between

    Read More

  • F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby - Symbols and Symbolism

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Symbolism is what makes a story complete. In "The Great Gatsby" Fitzgerald cleverly uses symbolism. Virtually anything in the novel can be taken as a symbol, from the weather, to the colors of clothing. characters wear. There are three main symbols used in The Great Gatsby, they are The East and West Egg, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, and the eyes of Dr.T.J. Eckleburg.

    Read More

  • The Eyes of God

    690 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an extremely symbolic book with many various symbols, however the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are the most symbolic element. F. Scott Fitzgerald never makes a point of what the eyes symbolize, however, throughout the novel, he suggests that the eyes have a different meaning to everybody and have many different embodiments. The eyes embody the growth of commercialism, God, and show the corruption of people along with their recklessness.

    Read More

  • Differences Between The Great Gatsby And Daisy Buchanan

    513 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although in the novel the reader has to decipher and figure out the importance of these symbols, in the movie these symbols are enhanced and are shown more clearly to the viewer. They show Gatsby out on the dock reaching for the green light. When Gatsby is close to finally reaching his dream the light is shown brighter. Then, later on in the movie, they show light flicker and slowly go out after Gatsby’s death, showing how he had failed to gain the one thing he desired most, Daisy. Another example is the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg, the movie makes it more apparent that they represent the eyes of God looking over the corruption and loss of morality in the Valley of Ashes. While reading the book is more in depth, the movie can help the reader to further understand the meanings of these

    Read More

  • Color Imagery In The Great Gatsby

    2025 Words  | 5 Pages

    “They look out of no face, but instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose” (26), represents energy and intellect. This quote is a description of a picture on a large billboard overlooking the valley of the ashes. The picture depicts a godly figure watching over everything in its surroundings. With the yellow on the sign, it also means caution. It later foreshadows corruption. Another example used is when Daisy is described as “..the golden girl..” (126). Yellow is the fake version of gold. Gold represents true wisdom and wealth. Since Daisy’s name is a type of flower, she is depicted full of energy and sunlight. Daisies typically need attention and care, and Fitzgerald perfectly depicts that. Although, this leads to corruption. Daisy’s dream is for true love and money. She chooses money over true love because Gatsby did not have anything before. Once she reunites with Gatsby again, she is still in love with him, though she can not have him because she is married to Tom. With that, it leads to Gatsby’s death. Later in the novel, Daisy, Jordan, Nick, Gatsby, and Tom all drive into the city on a very hot day. Daisy and Gatsby take Tom’s blue car, while Nick, Tom and Jordan take Gatsby’s yellow car. Due to the hot weather, everyone is heated and more ill-tempered. When everyone is settled, Daisy later cries out her love for Gatsby to Tom. Tom

    Read More

More about Symbolism in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Open Document