Gatsby's house is also often filled with people of new money, because he throws huge house parties that attract movie stars, famous athletes, gamblers, and actors. The house and parties symbolize the concept of new money, earned not by inheritance, but by poor people becoming rich on their own. Because Gatsby started out poor and became rich, we might assume that Gatsby's mansion backs the American Dream. However, Fitzgerald uses the houses to symbolize the difference between old money and new money, asserting that yes, Gatsby can be poor and work his way up to be a millionaire like Tom, but it is not the same. Gatsby is still different than Tom, and will never be like Tom or as good as Tom. Gatsby cannot change where he comes from and therefore cannot fully achieve the American Dream. He simply can't get Daisy. .
Although Gatsby never wins the heart of Daisy, his intentions and desire to go after her until his death are symbolized by the glowing green light at the end of Daisy's dock that is visible from Gatsby's mansion. Green means go in Gatsby's mind, to go win her heart. Gatsby eventually manipulates Nick in some ways to get back together with Daisy. When Gatsby finally meets Daisy and has her in his reach, he says, "If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home from across the bay, you always have a green light" (92). But the green light at the end of the dock disappears, not by coincidence. Fitzgerald uses the light as a symbol of the chase for what Gatsby wants: Daisy. The chase is part of the American Dream, the ability to go and get something for oneself. So why does it disappear? Fitzgerald ends the novel by saying, "Gatsby believed in the green light. It eluded us then, but that's no matter, tomorrow we will run faster" (180). The American Dream is eluding Gatsby. He will always want more and even when the goal is reached, it is insatiable. The green light disappearing symbolizes how the American Dream is misleading.
