Tyler Karopoulos

04/29/23

A Block

Smith

Gatsby Symbolism Paragraph (Revised)

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the reappearance of the Green Light is

used to communicate Gatsby’s hope and desires for something he cannot yet reach. The Green

Light first appears in Fitzgerald’s writing after Nick returns from his visit with the Buchanans, he

notices someone standing out on the dock neighboring his house. After spotting Gatsby, Nick

then states, “I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and

far away, that might have been the end of a dock” (Fitzgerald 26). The meaning of The Green

Light is associated with Gatsby’s desire and hopes to one day reunite with Daisy Buchanan.

Fitzgerald’s purpose in having the Green Light reoccur is sort of a status reminder of how close

or how far Gatsby is from achieving his dream of one day being with Daisy again. This is further

demonstrated when Daisy and Nick visit Gatsby’s estate following a reunion of the two in

Chapter 5. The green light is once more mentioned by Fitzgerald. In this instance of The Green

Light, Gatsby states to Daisy that, “If it wasn’t for the mist we could see your home across the

bay,” - “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock” (Fitzgerald

98). In this example, The Green Light reflects how this same sense of hope isn’t at all present

when Daisy is around. Fitzgerald’s purpose is to convey a sense of reunion or something along

the same lines to that of a wish now answered. As now that the original purpose of the green

light, that being hoped to one day be beside Daisy again, had practically been fulfilled. Similar to

the previous quote, The Green Light is once again mentioned, following Gatsby’s boasting.
 Towards the end of chapter 5, The Green Light appears again, following Daisy’s small

breakdown in Gatsby’s bedroom. This is followed up upon when Nick remarks that, “Possibly it

had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever.

Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to

her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green

light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one” (Fitzgerald 98). The

Green Lights’s purpose illustrates the connection between how close or far Daisy is from fully

reuniting with Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s purpose in using this symbol is to convey a sense of hope for

Gatsby’s character, as he longs for the day he can once more be with the individual he had been

serrated from for 5 years. Fitzgerald’s use of The Green Light clearly highlights the connection

of desire and hope related to Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship, as well as the feeling of longing in

which Gatsby still holds dear to their past. What is most apparent is the evolution of how the

symbol once had little to no meaning, then changed into a key point within the story.

Skill Exemplary Proficient Emerging

Identifies the prompt and Identifies a symbol and a Identifies the book
makes a specific claim theme
about the connection
Topic Sentence between a symbol and a
theme

Includes specific and Includes 3 pieces of Includes two or

meaningful evidence evidence from the text fewer pieces of
evidence
Evidence

Explains the figurative Explains the figurative Summarizes the

significance of the significance of the symbol evidence and
Analysis symbol and how that and a theme in the novel. mentions an idea in
contributes to the the novel.
development of a
theme.

Follows paragraph Follows paragraph Includes elements of

Organization organization and is organization, including a paragraph
organized to show how transitions between ideas
ideas build on one and a concluding sentence
another

All quotes are correctly Most quotes are correctly Shows evidence of
integrated integrated and cited basic proofreading

Shows evidence of careful All sentences are complete

Conventions proofreading
No personal pronouns used
(I, you, us, we)

Shows evidence of
proofreading

For the most part, my writing lacked various forms of quote integration, with the quotes

appearing to have just been inserted into the text. Secondly, I had to go over my citations, which

in all honesty appear to be cited properly, with the author’s name and page number, so I didn’t

feel the need to change anything there. Overall, I received relatively Proficient grades when it

came to separate topics, which I’m quite proud of myself considering this was one of my

semester 1 pieces. I should take into account that my analysis could use work when going into

my semester 2 revisions.