The Great Gatsby

A symbol is an object or place used to represent an idea or situation. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald there are many symbols. The themes of The Great Gatsby are shown through its use of symbols. The most important of the symbols used in the novel are the green light, the contrast between East Egg and the West Egg, and the valley of ashes. The green light lights up across …

…money that live in West Egg, and the poor that live in the valley of ashes. The valley of ashes symbolizes the poor and unfortunate part of society. Each of the symbols is significant to all the elements of the story. The symbols allow greater significance to the novel. They also allow greater meaning and understanding of the story. All of these symbols play an important role in the plot and structure of the novel.