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A Colorful Personality (analysis of the use of colors in The Great Gatsby)

Very often, colors are used to describe a mood or a feeling. The bright colors of the rainbow are always cheerful, while the dark gray of storm clouds seem to hint gloominess or danger that lies ahead. However, every once and a while, colors are used to describe people or society. The colors that are used in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby are used in this way. The colors of green, white, and yellow/gold help characterize the main characters in the novel as well as society.

The first color that is introduced to is green. In the beginning, Nick describes a moment when he sees Gatsby stretching his arms out towards "…a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock." (Fitzgerald 26) Later on in the novel, we learn that Gatsby associates this light with Daisy. Gatsby's time and effort is spent on winning Daisy's heart. This is his "American Dream." Here, the green light symbolizes Gatsby's hope for a reunion with Daisy. Gatsby ha...

Posted by: Jack Drewes

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