6.2.2

Symbolism

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Symbols and Motifs

Many of the symbols and motifs in The Great Gatsby are tragic ones. Here are a few of them:

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The colour yellow

  • Decadence and decay.
Illustrative background for Green light at the end of the dockIllustrative background for Green light at the end of the dock ?? "content

Green light at the end of the dock

  • A symbol of hope and reuniting with Daisy.
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Eyes of Dr T. J. Eckleburg

  • That a God-like figure is watching and making moral judgements.
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East and West Egg

  • The word Egg seems to symbolise new life and growth.
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‘Valley of the Ashes’

  • A representation of humanity’s fall from Eden.

Symbols and Motifs

Many of the symbols and motifs in The Great Gatsby are tragic ones. Here are a few of them:

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Gatsby’s mansion

  • A symbol of ‘new money’.
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The Plaza Hotel

  • Luxury and high fashion in New York City.
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The Mid-West

  • An ideal, but also a reality check.
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Pammy

  • A symbol of the unbreakable nature of Tom and Daisy’s relationship.

Jump to other topics

1Specification Overview

1.1Specification Overview

2Context

3Plot Summary

4Character Profiles

5Key Ideas

6Writing Techniques

7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis

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