Green

__ **THINK GREEN! ** __//.// The color symbolism of green, both literal and implied, is a key element in F. Scott Fitzgerald's dramatic novel, //The Great Gatsby.// In many cases green is often associated with traffic lights, nature, or the environment. In Fitzgerald's novel the dominate symbol of green appears in the literal form of a dock light symbolizing Gatsby's hopes and believes, with an emphasis on reclaiming his lover Daisy.Green imagery implied through a contrast in the difference between Nick and Gatsby's yards reflects on their lifestyles, identities and self presentation. Color makes strong connections either emotionally or to a specific context, therefore helps to establish connections to the key ideas or themes of the story. = = =**THE GREEN LIGHT ** = (The light at the end of Daisy's dock)

TS: The physical green light that burns all night across the sound represents Gatsby's hopes, dreams, and what he believes in; especially in terms of the possibility of renewing his relationship with Daisy.
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 * //"he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way...i could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily i glanced seaward-and distingushed nothing except a single green light, minute and far away that might have been the ed of a dock".// **
 * (Fitzgerald 26) **
 * Green lights are typically associated with the image of traffic lights that represents ‘go’ or navigational signs that mean 'return'. Since the green light presented in the novel is located on Daisy’s dock, Fitzgerald establishes a connection between the convential meanings of the green light with the contextual.
 * The reoccurring green light is significant in Gatsby's mind because it symbolizes open possibilities, opportunity and a chance for Gatsby to restart his relationship with Daisy. To set their relationship back to it original intensity like in the past. It characterizes him as someone who is inspired by hope, yet it desperate and completely convinced of his own imaginary future.


 * //"If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home across the bay," said Gatsby. "You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock."// ****(Fitzgerald 98) **
 * Gatsby admits to staring longingly across the sound, which not only separates West Egg from East Egg but more importantly separates Daisy from himself.
 * A mist of fog that blurs Gatsby's view of the light suggests that there are obstacles present that prevent his relationship with Daisy to become reestablished, or make the situation more difficult to approach.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Such factors could be something personal, perhaps an emotion or a combination of fear and nervousness from over thinking during the past five years. Another dominant determinant is the legal husband, Tom, who prevails over the intimate feelings Gatsby believes still exists between Daisy and himself. Such that it could create self-doubt or confusion for Gatsby.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">"**//I thought of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock...his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it…Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then but that's no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther..." (Fitzgerald 189)//** > >
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">**// From a young age Gatsby possessed an admirable determination for success, and he achieve that in wealth but could not claim Daisy. //**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The green light has a personal significance to Gatsby acting as an inspiration of hope. As a man living in his own concept of his life and himself, Gatsby believed that so long the light remains on and burning through the night, Daisy loved him. The possibility to reclaim and better his relationship with his lover is still present. He convinced himself of the future he imagined with Daisy, and therefore strongly believes in the green light.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Gatsby makes a connection to people and a common situation. Sometimes the thing someone searches for and wants the most is the hardest to actually achieve. In Gatsby's case, the green light and Daisy are both in the near distance but he just cant quit grasp it. If he fails in the present thats okay, because the next day he will simply work harder for that "orgiastic future"
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This last paragraph of the book proves why Gatsby's exempt from all the other men Nick despises, because Gatsby is a hopeful person and a strong believer.

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">GARDENS AND LAWNS: NATURAL vs. MATERIALISTIC = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">(significant of the contrasting green imagery of lawns and gardens)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">TS: <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The mentioning of Gatsby and nick's lawns re-occours throughout the novel, serving the purpose of a social setting. The contrast between the imagery of the ordinary and extravagant gardens reflect on the character's different lifestyles as either ordinary or materialistic. Also, this difference in the presentation of the yard defines the identities and characteristics that separate the wealthy from the common.
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 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">//"I had just left a country of wide lawns and friendly trees"// (Fitzgerald 7) **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Nick moved to the east from the Middle West and brought with him a taste for natural environments thus he doesn't care much for elaborating or perfecting his yard like his neighbor Gatsby. Nick lives a simple lifestyle.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The personification of friendly trees also defines him with a similar characteristic.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">A natural green environment is often considered to create an uplifting happy mood.

//**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">"in his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars" (Fitzgerald 43) **//
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">//"enough colored lights to make a christmas tree of Gatsby's enormous garden"// (Fitzgerald 44) **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The setting of Gatsby's large garden often hosts his attention seeking parties. In contrast to Nick's lawn, Gatsby's extensive garden shows a display of the wealthy lifestyle. Luring people in with the name he created for himself, but his popularity is fake since the parties are filled with unknown guests who only come to lavish on his expense.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Reference to Christmas, a time for reunions, suggests a similar setting to reunite with his previous lover Daisy.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The transformation of nature into a materialistic garden reflects on his materialistic lifestyle. In his own mind, Gatsby's garden is so extravagant and advanced that it is no longer green, but blue.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">//"I want to get the grass cut...we both looked at the grass-there was a sharp line where my ragged lawn ended and the darker, well-kept expanse of his began. i suspected that he meant my grass"// (Fitzgerald 87) **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> //"once more it was pouring and my irregular lawn, well shaved by Gatsby's gardener"// (Fitzgerald 93) **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The lawn is the only space in someone's property that is publicly displayed, such that the owner can choose what or how to present it. This also says something about difference between Nick and Gatsby's identity.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Nick's lawn is left untouched and unaltered. He doesn't layout his yard to present himself a certain way or attempts to change his identity.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Gatsby sent a gardener to trim his neighbor's house prior to Daisy's arrival. In Gatsby's eyes a normal green lawn appears irregular because he is so consumed with perfecting his appears and reputation.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">At first glance, Gatsby's wealth is portrayed though the large scale and perfection of his well trimmed lawn and decorated garden. Everything is placed accordingly, proving that his true identity is covered up and the outer appearance is fake.

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