Technicolor Fitzgerald

Paper Summary:

The writer of this paper clearly details the significance of the colors used in F. Scott Fitzgerald's American classic "The Great Gatsby." The writer contends that Fitzgerald is a master of the motif and his recurring themes and symbols, which include the use of light and automobiles, in addition to colors, are a large part of what make this particular novel so captivating. Each color in the novel symbolizes a different theme. The colors do not only have meaning individually, but the relationship between all of the colors and the things they represent are intricate and visually stunning. This paper examines the author's use of colors throughout this novel, which include blue, gray, lavender, yellow, white and green. The blue motif represents dreams, imagination, and in some ways, the supernatural. For example, Eckleburg's blue eyes, which appear in the novel many times can be interpreted as representing the omnipresence of God himself. The writer also delves into the author's focus on the use automobiles and light, in addition to the colors. Fitzgerald centers on the use of light in his novel also as a motif. The green light, in specific, holds great importance in the story, which is clearly explained in this paper.

From the Paper:

"The Valley of Ashes is an example of gray being the color that represents being stuck without hope of reaching any dreams, and having abandoned them. The people near there work hard, drive in gray cars (a connection to another Ftizgerald motif of automobiles), and they do not strive for anything more exciting. While the eyes of the all-knowing Eckleburg are blue, Jordan, who is superficial and has no dreams, has gray eyes. Lavender is another important color. Closely related to blue, this color represents indulgence, such as Gatsby's lavender-decorated rooms and his lavender shirts. The beads on a dress are also referred to as lavender; the beads are embellishments, unneeded things that are nonetheless desired, and obtained often by the wealthy. White is used in The Great Gatsby in the traditional literary use of the color. Like white wedding dresses, white here represents innocence."

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