The Great Gatsby
By: Het Desai
Text-to-World Connections: Meme
Text to World Connections: Meme
Text-to-World Connections: Meme
The Hero's Perspective: Character Scrapbook
Literary Elements: Motifs
The Eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg
The Green Light
The green light that Gatsby looks out at from his backyard is located on Daisy’s dock. This light represents two different things to Gatsby. First and most obviously, it symbolizes Daisy – when he looks at that light he is thinking of Daisy. The second thing that this green light might represent to Gatsby is his envy (since green is the color of envy) or jealousy toward Tom for what he has that Gatsby wants – Daisy. Nick also makes mention of this green light at the end of the novel, saying that it is what everyone reaches for; therefore, it is also possible that this green light is also a symbol of the American Dream for Gatsby.
Gatsby's Mansion
The Valley of Ashes
The valley of ashes between West Egg and New York City consists of a long stretch of barren land created by the dumping of industrial ashes. It represents the moral and social problems that result when pursuing wealth with no other thought in mind. The problem when greed over takes your mind and it longer has space to think. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the home of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and looses his wife as a result.