1. The Great Gatsby Literary Notes – Symbols

2. Symbols the green light the green light Gatsby’s hope to recapture the past. Gatsby’s hope to recapture the past. the Valley of Ashes the Valley of Ashes corruption caused by greed corruption caused by greed

3. Symbols Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes American dream surrounded by corruption of greed American dream surrounded by corruption of greed Gatsby’s mansion Gatsby’s mansion American dream; his attempt to capture the past American dream; his attempt to capture the past

4. Symbols weather weather reflects mood – rain/sun at Daisy & Gatsby’s meeting; extreme heat during confrontation reflects mood – rain/sun at Daisy & Gatsby’s meeting; extreme heat during confrontation clock clock Gatsby’s attempt to stop time, turn back time Gatsby’s attempt to stop time, turn back time

5. Symbols Wolfsheim’s cufflinks Wolfsheim’s cufflinks brutal criminal underworld brutal criminal underworld music/songs music/songs attempt to cover up problems or corruption attempt to cover up problems or corruption “yellow cocktail music” “yellow cocktail music”

6. Symbols uncut books uncut books illusion of depth; extreme wealth illusion of depth; extreme wealth Faded timetable with guest list Faded timetable with guest list “moths” – famous partygoers “moths” – famous partygoers names are grey - corruption names are grey - corruption

7. Symbols Gatsby’s clothes Gatsby’s clothes depends on colors depends on colors also, wealth also, wealth Gatsby’s car Gatsby’s car cream = rich; yellow later shows corruption of his dream cream = rich; yellow later shows corruption of his dream

8. Symbols West Egg West Egg new money that won’t last new money that won’t last think sunset think sunset East Egg East Egg old money that will endure old money that will endure think sunrise think sunrise

9. Symbols the Midwest the Midwest honesty, integrity, “real” life uncorrupted by greed. honesty, integrity, “real” life uncorrupted by greed. New York New York greed, Roaring Twenties (loose morals, etc.) greed, Roaring Twenties (loose morals, etc.)