"I though of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled under the night.
Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year receded before us."(189)
The green light that has followed us throughout the book has gone from representing Gatsby's unrequited love, to hope, vitality and life. Now, we learn another meaning of the green light - "the orgastic future." Gatsby would stand out in the dark night, looking at the light which cradled all of his will and hope.
Another note would be the "blue lawns" - blue can symbolize one of two things - depression and sadness or Gatsby's deeply romantic dreams and illusions. For me, it represents both. We saw a lot of blue around Gatsby in the book, whether it be in is house or on his servants and I think that emphasized that his wealth was all part of his dream to "woo" Daisy. The blue lawns, could also be referring to the depressing setting of Gatsby's house. The parties were not enjoyable unless you were drunk, and the last one had a hostile, rude atmosphere. Gatsby's house was not full of life, because he himself was empty.
5 comments:
I feel like Fitzgerald purposely referred to it as a blue lawn because it shows that Gatsby's attempt to attain the American Dream was unsuccessful. It is sad that something he tried to obtain did not work out. Even with having a beautiful home, a sprawling lawn, and every material thing he could need, he never achieved his American Dream, which is pretty depressing.
As I see it, what is the American Dream without someone to love and to have as your own? I agree with Juliana's comment on the blue lawn representing the fail of Gatsby's attempt at the American Dream. It is a very sad ending to this.
I agree with the both of you. The novel was one whole story of the chase and then failure to achieve the American dream. It really so sad when you think about how unfulfilled Gatsby was.
I feel bad for Gatsby because he watched the green light and clinched to it for hope. But at the end it ends in a bitter disapointment for Gatsby. Do you think that if there was no green light he wold feel the same about Daisy?
The green light stands as one of the more prodominant colors and symbols in the story. Hoping in the little chance left the light shows us that even if the chances are slim, Gatsby still holds on to the chances the future holds.
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