The Great Gatsby: a Reflection on the American Dream

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby," published in 1925, is a profound exploration of the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties. The novel delves into the dichotomy between new and old money, the pursuit of wealth, and the inherent disillusionment that accompanies the American Dream. Through rich symbolism, Fitzgerald paints a vivid picture of a society obsessed with materialism and status. This essay will analyze the symbolism of West Egg and East Egg, the color yellow, and the green light, to reveal how these elements critique the American Dream’s elusive nature.

West Egg and East Egg: New Money vs. Old Money

At the heart of "The Great Gatsby" is the contrast between West Egg and East Egg, two fictional communities that represent the divide between new and old money. West Egg, where Jay Gatsby resides, symbolizes newly acquired wealth. Gatsby’s fortune is self-made, a testament to the American ideal of rising from rags to riches. In contrast, East Egg represents old money, wealth that has been passed down through generations, bestowing its holders with a sense of superiority and social standing.

Fitzgerald describes East Egg as a place that "glittered along the water," with houses that are "white palaces" and "fashionable" (pg 5). These descriptions underscore the opulence and established prestige of old money. Conversely, West Egg is depicted as "less fashionable," highlighting the social disdain for those who are nouveau riche. This geographical and social divide illustrates how the American Dream, while promising opportunity, is fraught with barriers erected by entrenched class distinctions. The characters’ treatment and perceptions are heavily influenced by their wealth’s origin, which ultimately critiques the notion of equal opportunity.

The Symbolism of Yellow: Wealth and Decay

Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald employs the color yellow to symbolize wealth’s corrupting influence and the decay it leaves in its wake. Yellow is frequently associated with objects and characters tainted by greed and moral decline. The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, framed by yellow spectacles, cast a watchful gaze over the Valley of Ashes, a desolate landscape representing the moral and social decay resulting from the pursuit of wealth.

The Valley of Ashes is where Myrtle Wilson, Tom Buchanan’s mistress, meets her tragic end. Her affair with Tom is driven by a desire to escape poverty and attain a life of luxury, yet her return to the Valley signifies the unattainable nature of such dreams. The yellow spectacles of Dr. Eckleburg’s eyes observe the destruction wrought by the relentless pursuit of affluence, serving as a reminder that the American Dream often leaves chaos in its wake.

Gatsby’s car, a "rich cream color," is another symbol painted yellow. It becomes an instrument of death when Daisy Buchanan, driving Gatsby’s car, accidentally kills Myrtle. This incident underscores the destructive potential of wealth and the moral recklessness that often accompanies it. The car, a status symbol of Gatsby’s success, becomes a harbinger of doom, illustrating how the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to ruin.

The Green Light: Unattainable Dreams

The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock is perhaps the most enduring symbol in "The Great Gatsby." It represents Gatsby’s dream of a future with Daisy, a dream that remains perpetually out of reach. Despite the physical proximity of the green light across the bay, it symbolizes the unattainable nature of the American Dream—a future filled with promise and potential but forever elusive.

Gatsby’s infatuation with the green light mirrors his pursuit of wealth and status, driven by the belief that these will win Daisy’s love. Yet, despite his immense fortune, Gatsby cannot transcend the social barriers that separate him from Daisy, whose loyalty remains tied to Tom and the old money he represents. The green light serves as a poignant reminder that the American Dream, while alluring, often recedes before us, just out of reach.

In the novel’s closing lines, Fitzgerald writes, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…" (pg 180). This passage encapsulates the relentless yet ultimately futile pursuit of the American Dream. Despite Gatsby’s wealth and determination, he remains trapped by his past and the societal structures that prevent the fulfillment of his dreams.

Conclusion

In "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald masterfully critiques the American Dream through the symbolism of West Egg and East Egg, the color yellow, and the green light. These symbols reveal the inherent flaws and unattainability of the American Dream, highlighting how wealth and status often lead to moral decay and unfulfilled aspirations. By examining these elements, Fitzgerald’s novel serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of materialism and the illusion of the American Dream, urging readers to reflect on the true nature of success and fulfillment.

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