FAQ About The Great Gatsby

The color white is used in "The Great Gatsby" to represent a range of meanings and emotions. Here are a few examples of the significance of the color white in the novel:

• Daisy's White Dresses: Daisy is often described wearing white dresses throughout the novel, which represents her purity and innocence. However, the color white can also represent the emptiness and shallowness of her character, as she is portrayed as being somewhat superficial and fickle.
• The White House: Gatsby's mansion is often referred to as the "white palace" or the "white house," which represents the wealth and power that Gatsby has acquired through his criminal activities. However, the color white can also represent the moral emptiness and corruption that underlies Gatsby's wealth.
• The White Symbolizes Class Divide: The color white is often used to contrast the upper class characters with the working-class characters, who are described as wearing dull or dark colors. This contrast highlights the class divide in American society during the 1920s.
• The White as a Symbol of Death: In the final chapter of the novel, the color white takes on a more ominous meaning, representing death and decay. The white flowers that are sent to Gatsby's funeral and the white card that Gatsby's father shows to Nick are both symbols of the finality of death.

The use of the color white in "The Great Gatsby" is complex and multi-layered, representing both the positive and negative aspects of the characters and their society. It symbolizes purity, innocence, wealth, and power, as well as shallowness, moral emptiness, and death.