FAQ About The Great Gatsby

The color green is a highly significant symbol in "The Great Gatsby," representing a range of meanings and emotions. Here are a few examples of the significance of the color green in the novel:

• The Green Light: The most obvious use of the color green is in the green light that Gatsby gazes at across the bay. The green light represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams, particularly his desire to be reunited with Daisy. It also represents the American Dream, and the idea that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
• The Green as a Symbol of Wealth: In addition to representing Gatsby's hopes and dreams, the color green is also associated with wealth and luxury throughout the novel. For example, the green silk shirt that Gatsby wears to his party symbolizes his wealth and status.
• The Green as a Symbol of Envy: The color green can also represent envy and jealousy. In the novel, Tom Buchanan is described as having "two shining arrogant eyes" that are "flat and pale-blue" and "look out at you plainly." This is contrasted with Gatsby's eyes, which are described as "bright, passionate green." Tom's envy of Gatsby's wealth and status is represented by the contrast between his pale-blue eyes and Gatsby's vibrant green eyes.
• The Green as a Symbol of Hope: Finally, the color green can represent hope and renewal. This is seen in the novel's final pages, where Nick muses about the first Dutch sailors who arrived in America and saw the green land on the horizon. The green land symbolizes hope and the promise of a better life, which is what Gatsby and the other characters are searching for throughout the novel.

The use of the color green in "The Great Gatsby" is rich and multi-layered, representing hope, wealth, envy, and the American Dream.