The Symbols of Gatsby

            Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald there are several reoccurring symbols. These metaphorical devices provide for an understanding of the characters and the theme of how the "American Dream" is slowly fading in the 1920's. For most of these symbols there are several different interpretations and meanings. Fitzgerald's use of symbols makes the reader explore different possibilities that make the novel more intriguing. Three of the most important symbols found several times in the novel are the green light, the valley of ashes and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.
             The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock helps build an understanding of the character of Jay Gatsby. In the beginning of the novel Nick Carraway finds Gatsby standing in his back yard "trembling" and reaching out to the green light. During this time Nick is not aware that the green light belongs to the Buchanan's. It is difficult to identify the true meaning of the light from this incident. After reading on, it is determined that the light is used to represent Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future. This "future" is the one that he hopes to share with Daisy. Nick finds Gatsby reaching out to this light on other occasions, hoping that he could finally reach that light. Reflecting on Gatsby's dream at the end of the novel, Nick realizes that Gatsby always held onto this dream because it " . . . seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.".
             The valley of ashes most directly connects to the idea of the loss of the "American Dream." This stretch of land, where ashes from homes and factories are dumped, between the West Egg and New York City is mentioned many times throughout the novel. The land represents the social decay that is a direct result from the shallow goal of being rich and how the rich choose to indulge themselves. They have no regard for others; they only act for their own pleasure and well being.