Symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" by F Scott Fitzgerald and "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams

Symbolism is an invaluable literary tool that may be employed by authors or playwrights to aid in the development of characters or to display themes in novels and plays. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism heavily in his text "The Great Gatsby", as does Tennessee Williams in "The Glass Menagerie". Various symbols appear throughout the respective texts that allow the reader to gain insight into character's personalities and also add value to major themes and ideas …

…heart. He demanded Daisy to state that she had never loved Tom Buchanan. "Oh, you want too much!" she cried to Gatsby, "I love you now--isn't that enough? I can't help what's past. I did love him once--but I loved you too." As highlighted in this Essay, it is through the use of symbolism in both texts that the authors' key ideas can be developed, and a certain response can be drawn from the reader.