The Great Gatsby Symbolism Tracker

As we continue the novel, we will be tracking symbolism and noting if/how it changes over time.

Symbols:
The green light
Cars
Houses (Gatsby’s, Nick’s, Tom’s)
The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg
Weather

For each symbol, you should:

- Provide your initial interpretation of the symbol after reading chapters 1-4
- As we continue reading:
- Indicate the chapter in which the symbol reappears
- Type a direct quote
- Give your interpretation in the context of that chapter
- Discuss the development of the symbol (has it changed, become more clear,
connected to another idea?)

The Green Light

Initial Interpretation (Chapters 1-4): “he stretched out his arm towards the dark water in a
curious way, and, far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I
glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away,
that might have been at the end of the dock.” (Pg. 20-21)

Reappearance (1 of 2)

Chapter #: 5

Direct Quote: “If it wasn’t for the mess, we could see your house across the bay,” said Gatsby.
“you always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock.” (Pg. 92)

Interpretation: Gatsby was talking to Daisy about how he noticed the light across the lake that
was in front of her dock.

Development of the symbol: This shows that once Gatsby was looking at the light and thinking
of Daisy but now he has her with him.

Reappearance (2 of 2)

Chapter #: 9
Direct Quote: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes
before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter-to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our
arms farther…And one fine morning- So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back
ceaselessly into the past“ (pg. 180)

Interpretation: The light was something that Gatsby was grasped towards and all he wanted to
get closer to it and Daisy because it made him think that was the way to get her back.

Development of the symbol: The representation of the green light is this sort of dream that
Gatsby had for himself that he wanted to get closer to light because that meant that Daisy
was near it.

Cars

Initial Interpretation (Chapters 1-4): “On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus,
bearing parties to and from the city, between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while
his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains.” (page 43).

Reappearance (1 of 2)

Chapter #: 7

Direct Quote: : “ The other car, the one going towards New York, came to a rest, 100 yards
beyond and it drove it back to Myrtle Wilson, her life violently extinguished now in the road,
and mingled her thick, dark blood with the dust.”. (Pg, 137)

Interpretation: the car was used to hit someone and cause harm to the person.

Development of the symbol: the symbol of the car has to do with Daisy, hitting Myrtle with the
car and Gatsby taking the blame for her.

Reappearance (2 of 2)

Chapter #: 5

Direct Quote: “A damp streak of hair lay like a dash of blue paint across her cheek and her
hand was wet with glistening drops as I took it to help her from the car.”

Interpretation: this is when Daisy shows up to Nick’s house when she sees Gatsby for the first
time in years

Development of the symbol: when Daisy first gets out of the car, the blue paint coming down,
her cheeks has to do with the rain when she exits the car.
Houses (Gatsby’s, Nick’s, Tom’s)

Initial Interpretation (Chapters 1-4): “My own house was an eyesore, but it was a small
eyesore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my
neighbor’s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires all for eighty dollars a month.” (Pg.
7)

Reappearance (1 of 2)

Chapter #: 5

Direct Quote: “we went upstairs. Through period bedrooms swarmed in rose and lavender silk
and vivid with new flowers through dressing, rooms and pool. Rooms and bathrooms were
sick in the baths.” (Pg. 90)

Interpretation: this is showing Daisy how much money Gatsby really has and all the stuff that
he has

Development of the symbol: by Gatsby showing Daisy his house, it shows how much money
he has and how much he can afford.

Reappearance (2 of 2)

Chapter #: 6

Direct Quote: “Gatsby’s house. A brewer had built it. and there was a story that he’d agreed to
pay five years’ taxes on all the neighboring cottages if the owners would have their roofs
thatched with straw. Perhaps their refusal took the heart out of this plan . . . he went into an
immediate decline. His children sold his house with the black wreath still on the door.
Americans, while occasionally willing to be serfs, have always been obstinate about being
peasantry.”

Interpretation: this is some background about how Gatsby‘s house was built and what he
wanted it to look like.

Development of the symbol: since they first built Gatsby‘s house, it has been involved in so
many ways and he is always adding to it.

The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg

Initial Interpretation (Chapters 1-4): “the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T.
J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic — their irises are one yard high. They look out of no face,
but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose.”
(Pg. 20)
Reappearance (1 of 2)

Chapter #: 7

Direct Quote: “Over the ash heaps the giant eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleberg kept their vigil, but
I perceived, after a moment, that other eyes were regarding us with peculiar intensity from
less than twenty-feet away.” (Pg, 124)

Interpretation: That the can eyes follow a person everywhere and it creates some type of
effect on a person.

Development of the symbol: The eyes can be a little a symbol of someone watching over you.

Reappearance (2 of 2)

Chapter #: 8

Direct Quote: “I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You
may fool me, but you can’t fool God.’” Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock that
he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, which had just emerged, pale and
enormous, from the dissolving night. “God sees everything.” Repeated Wilson.” (pg. 159-160)

Interpretation: That the eyes are seen as a for people to think they should act good and not let
bad things happen.

Development of the symbol: The eyes have become a symbol of god because of someone
always watching and protecting you.

Weather

Initial Interpretation (Chapters 1-4): “A breeze blew through the room, blew the curtains
in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted
wedding-cake of the ceiling, and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a
shadow on it as wind does on the sea.” (pg.8).

Reappearance (1 of 2)

Chapter #: 7

Direct Quote: “But it's so hot,” insisted Daisy, on the verge of tears, “and everything’s so
confused. Let’s all go to town!” Her voice struggled on through the heat, beating against it,
molding its senselessness into forms.” (pg.118-119)
Interpretation: The heat of the weather was affecting them from going out and doing things
because of the heat is so hot and it is difficult to go out in

Development of the symbol:

Reappearance (2 of 2)

Chapter #: 8

Direct Quote: “a small gust of wind that scarcely corrugated the surface was enough to
disturb. It's an accidental course with his accidental burden.” (Pg.162)

Interpretation: The effects of winds are creating a sad mood to the atmosphere.

Development of the symbol: The wind is something that is creating a bad place that because
it has a negative effect on the environment.