What Does The Billboard Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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The 1920s was a time in history that allowed a small amount of people to flaunt their wealth and live fabulous lives while others strived to survive day by day. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism in the classic novel, The Great Gatsby to show how money, power, and love both separate and unite these different lifestyles. Fitzgerald uses an oversized billboard, a green light, and the valley of ashes to highlight his themes and impact the plot. One of the novel’s most pronounced symbols is the oversized billboard. This billboard depicts Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s large eyes overlooking those who drive between the West Egg and Manhattan. It is beneath this billboard that the climax of the plot where Daisy Buchanan runs over and kills her husband’s, Tom Buchanan’s, former mistress, Myrtle Wilson, and it is beneath this billboard where Myrtle’s grieving husband, George Wilson, points to Dr. Eckleburg’s eyes, and says, “God sees everything” (Fitzgerald 167). This quote captures the billboard’s symbolism, and the location of the car accident is significant to the plot. …show more content…

The green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams. One of Gatsby’s hopes is to have Daisy divorce her husband to be with him instead. For example, Gatsby says to Daisy while at a party, “ ‘Daisy, that’s all over now’, he said earnestly. ‘It doesn’t matter anymore. Just tell him the truth-- that you never loved him’...She looked at him blindly…‘You never loved him.’ She hesitated” (139). Gatsby is confident that his dream will come true. His dream that Daisy will leave Tom because he has what she wants. He has a love for her that is romantic and valuable. He has something that makes her feel wanted. Fitzgerald’s symbolism in the green light proves that power and love can unite two people to fall in

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