Literary analysis of symbols in The Great Gatsby by F.

Scott Fitzgerald
Reflective and close-reading analysis
Present symbols and reason/purpose for each symbol.
Use each body paragraph to focus on one symbol in particular. Introduce symbol and where it is
prominently shown in the book. ontinue by e!plaining and evaluating its purpose to the novel
and its effect on the storyline and characters.
I. Intro
II. "ymbol #ne$ %ocation
III. "ymbol &wo$ 'eather
I(. "ymbol &hree$ olors
(. "ymbol )our$ *reen %ight
(I. onclusion
I. Intro
a. Introduce what to e!pect in paper.
b. Provide an overview of the symbols that will be analy+ed.
c. ,ention the importance of symbols to a novel.
II. Symbol One: Location
a. Introduce the symbol of location.
b. -!plain importance of (alley of .shes/ -ast -gg/ 'est -gg/ 0ew 1ork ity/ etc.
c. .naly+e the purpose of location as a symbol 2displays social class/ conflict
between locations/ similarities and differences between characters3
III. Symbol Two: Weather
a. Introduce the symbol of weather.
b. -!plain importance of the hot summer days/ rainy visit with 4aisy/ and the heat
again during the drunken feud.
c. .naly+e the purpose of weather as a symbol 2parallel to emotions and turn of
events$ heat held conflict/ rain held disappointment or renewal3.
I(. Symbol Three: Colors
a. Introduce the symbol of colors.
b. -!plain the importance of colors in relation to the story 2emphasis on the color of
clothing/ perhaps focus on scene where 4aisy cries at *atsby5s beautiful
clothes3.
c. .naly+e the purpose of colors as a symbol 2colors of clothing help to develop
characters/ at times showing personality traits not initially displayed3.
(. Symbol Four: reen Light
a. Introduce the symbol of the green light.
b. -!plain the importance of the green light to the entire theme of the book
2.merican 4ream3.
c. .naly+e the purpose of the green light 2the unattainable 6uest that *atsby has
allowed himself to go on for 4aisy3.
(I. Conclusion
a. 7riefly recap what was previously said.
b. Relate symbolism to the theme of the book.
c. Provide a strong closing.