The Symbolism of Water in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

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March 29, 2023
The Symbolism of Water in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
The "American Dream" idea has been ingrained in American culture for many years. It is the notion that everyone, regardless of background or social standing, may achieve success and prosperity through diligence and resolve. The quest for money, a better life, and upward mobility are frequently linked to the American Dream, which is seen as a core value of American culture. The idea has been mirrored in literature, music, and popular culture and is still a major topic of discussion in the country.
The Great Gatsby
In connection the novel "The Great Gatsby," The protagonist of the book, Jay Gatsby, is a self-made millionaire who has amassed enormous money and success. However, his real ambition is to reclaim Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life. Gatsby thinks that his social standing and fortune will enable him to realize this ideal, but his pursuit of it ultimately brings his demise (Durlauf). The book's other characters likewise represent several facets of the American Dream. Daisy Buchanan's husband, Tom Buchanan, is a privileged, entitled guy who inherited his fortune and position. He stands for the notion that success and money may be attained through hard labor and privilege or inherited fortune. The working-class interpretation of the American Dream is personified by Tom's mistress, Myrtle Wilson. She wants to leave her spouse for a better life in a rich and glamorous world, but pursuing this dream ultimately results in her terrible demise (Cain). Similarly, this idea of the American Dream leads to the idea of flow, which is why Fitzgerald repeatedly uses water in the narrative.
Water as a Flow
Water is a metaphor for the protagonists' huge and unfulfilled wishes throughout the book. Gatsby can see Daisy's dock from his dock across the lake, and he watches the green light there as a representation of his unattainable desire to be with her. The water between them stands in for the distance and barriers in his way of realizing his dream. The destructive aspect of the characters' dream-chasing is also represented by water. The Valley of Ashes, a bleak industrial location where the ashes of factories are thrown, is not far from where Myrtle Wilson tragically dies after being struck by Gatsby's car. This place, bordered by water, serves as a metaphor for the devastation and degradation brought on by the protagonists' unrestrained pursuit of their goals.
Throughout the novel, water symbolizes various concepts because it may take on any shape and will flow in the direction it is directed. Although the meaning of the body of water could be clearer and more concise, the viewers' interpretation of what is intended is left up to them. In some cases, this interpretation arises somewhat unconsciously. Depending on how much water is there, it may act as a barrier and cause a location's geography to alter. Water is far more challenging to travel than the earth, necessitating water transportation technology. This difference in accessibility makes water a metaphor for an unreachable desire, although obstacles may be overcome with effort.
Green Light at the End of Daisy's Dock.
Another idea related to water is the green light at the end of Daisy's pier, which stands in for the characters' unfulfilled hopes and goals, particularly Jay Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy and his conception of the American Dream. As mentioned earlier, the water symbolizes the distance between dreams and reality and its crossing as Gatsby’s efforts to reach his dreams. Accordingly, Gatsby is revealed to be particularly fascinated by the green light, which he links with Daisy and his desire to be with her. The green light is initially referenced in Chapter 1 when Nick Carraway describes the view from his home in West Egg, which includes "the green light at the end of Daisy's pier." At one point, he even extends his hand toward the light in an apparent attempt to grasp it (Roberts).
The gap between Gatsby and Daisy is too large to bridge, so the green light represents Gatsby's impossibly unachievable ideal. The hue of the light, which is green, is also significant because envy and jealousy are emotions that Gatsby expresses toward Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband, who stands in for the wealthy, affluent class that Gatsby is attempting to enter. The green light is also across the ocean, representing how expansive and unreachable Gatsby's dreams are. This far-off and unreachable item symbolizes the impossibility of the American Dream and the disappointment and disillusionment that go along with it
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The Symbolism of Valley of Ashes
The Valley of Ashes is a bleak industrial area where factory waste is dumped halfway between West Egg and New York City. A massive billboard bearing the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg surrounds it, signifying the...