Green Light-
Resting at the end of Daisy’s dock is a green light. Often Gatsby would stare with longing at this light. He would stand at the top of his tower dreaming of Daisy as the green burned into his eyes. The light was the only sign showing him Daisy was near, but still beyond his grasp. In a sense it was the only piece of Daisy he had. The green light was hope, Gatsby’s only hope that he might be with Daisy again.

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Dr. TJ Eckleberg-
Throughout the story Dr. Eckleberg’s eyes stare down at the characters. His eyes aged along with the billboard giving them an appearance of sadness. These sad eyes constantly looking upon the valley of ashes came to represent God to many people. Just as the billboard’s eyes stare down at the people, God sees everyone and all there sins. George Wilson mentions this in the story and he seems to truly believe they are God. Eckleberg represented the fact that the many main characters did many things God found wrong and he turns a sad gaze on them.

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The Color Green-
Green equals hope. This is the color characters look to find the hope to press on. Gatsby sees the green light resting at the other end of the bay and finds hope that he will one day be together with Daisy again. Additionally, money or green backs, are hope for Gatsby. With money, and lots of it, he believes that Daisy will finally come back to him and repeat the past with him.

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The Color White-
Clad in white clothing, living in white mansions, white is the color East Egg is covered in. White is all around, and with this pure color is the feeling of innocence which white symbolizes. As the book reads on, white turns out to be a cover up. Tom, Daisy, and Jordan surround themselves in white to cover up their lack of innocence inside.

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Multi-Color- Eye opening and unique, multi colored objects stand out. New money is represented by these flashy colors. People with new money want to show of their wealth. They spend all of their money on gaudy things to show everyone that they have money. When Gatsby finally meets with Daisy again, he wore a multi colored shirt to stand out and clearly show that he was made of money now. In his mind this was the best way to impress Daisy.

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Yellow-
Just as paper, plastics, and plant fibers turn yellow as they age and die, yellow in The Great Gatsby symbolizes the same traits. The Valley of Ashes, a run down area, always had a yellow color to it. Aging structures and people filled the Valley. Additionally, death was in the yellow valley of ashes, caused by a yellow car. Lastly, dreams died in the Valley of Ashes, especially Gatsby’s dream with Daisy. Since yellow denotes death and aging, yellow also symbolizes depression.

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The American Dream-
Throughout The Great Gatsby the American dream is not specifically referenced, but is shown by the characters. The American Dream was once the fact that every person could strive to be what ever he or she wanted and be happy. At this time, the American dream had been tarnished. No longer are people strive to be happy, they strive for wealth at all cost. The American dream has been degraded and Fitzgerald shows it throughout the novel.

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East Egg-
East egg symbolizes the old money society. Hiding behind their money they did not make they spend a life of leisure, never accomplishing much.

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West Egg-
West Egg is the site of new money. If anyone accumulates new money, West Egg is the place to live, be seen, and flaunt his or her wealth.

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Cars-
Cars are now an extension of a person. People want to be seen in the cool, sleek, or powerful car. In the novel The Great Gatsby, cars are the same as they are today. Gatsby drove a “circus wagon”, an expensive and gaudy car. Every time Gatsby drove down the street, he flaunted his wealth. Tom Buchanan drove a nice, blue car, nothing special but nice and refined. These cars exhibited the traits of their characters much like we wish the cars of today did.

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