Nathan Kest, 2nd Hour
When reading Great Gatsby, it is key for one to understand the symbols F. Scott Fitzgerald incorporates throughout his novel. A symbol is an object, figure, color that is used to represent an abstract idea or concept. Fitzgerald uses multiple symbols throughout the novel to bring attention to important notions. Symbols are often used to reestablish crucial messages of the romance. Similarly. Fitzgerald uses symbolism through characters and settings through out the novel in aid of reenforcing the reoccurring theme of moral criminality. Fitzgerald tended to make use of the characters in his romance as symbols, in aid of constructing the concern for moral criminality. For example, Fitzgerald makes use of Daisy as a spotlight for such moral criminality. In the beginning of the novel, daisy is described as an angel; “. . . [her dress] rippling and fluttering as if [she] had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.” (17) However, as the novel progresses Daisy becomes more so disappointing. For example, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. . . .” (279) One can see Daisy’s moral criminality as she runs away from her love and problems, and follows gold rather than what is right. One can depict Daisy’s symbolism through her name. A daisy is a flower, that is white and pure in the center and on its edges it is yellow like gold; impure. Daisy Buchanan is seen as this pure girl throughout the story, but her tendency to follow money, is the gold emerging on her edges; her moral criminality. In addition, Fitzgerald used symbols through various settings throughout the novel. The Valley of Ashes for example. We become aware of the Valley of Ashes during the second chapter of the novel as