Gatsby Symbols

Gatsby Symbols

Examine the following symbols in The Great Gatsby. Describe the meaning/function of each symbol. Some of the symbols are characters and some of them are actions. Think about all of them in the following way: what is the function/meaning of this symbol?

1. Gatsby's uncut books/Nick's unread books
2. Wolfsheim's cufflinks
3. Gatsby's car/Gatsby's clothes
4. Tom Buchanan pushing people around/Tom Buchanan quoting things "he's read"
5. The faded timetable (showing the names of Gatsby's guests)
6. Anti-semitism, prejudice
7. Weather
8. Time, seasons
9. The ash heap
10. The green light at the end of Daisy's dock
11. East versus West Egg
12. Gatsby's career/Nick's career
13. Dan Cody
14. T.J. Eckleberg
15. Silver and gold (color)
16. White (color)
17. Green (color)