Background
Color symbolism represents the use of color as a symbol in storytelling, which enhances the narrative by adding particular qualities to characters and their environments, as well as instilling hidden meanings into the story beyond its literal sense. Because of this, authors have utilized color as a vital tool for storytelling, which immediately establishes a specific tone and mood, enhancing the overall reading experience.
In “The Great Gatsby,” color symbolism is one of the most prominent literary tools F. Scott Fitzgerald employed, as colors have direct connections to specific characters, plot components, and the themes the author discusses. Set during the Roaring Twenties, the novel’s plot occurs outside New York City, with the major theme revolving around the idea of the American Dream. The primary colors in “The Great Gatsby” include blue, green, gray, red, yellow, and white. They play a crucial role in shaping the characters, developing the story’s plot, and deepening the theme, thereby making the literary piece more significant and profound.
The Roaring Twenties, as the context of the novel, is highly relevant for the further discussion of color symbolism. It was a period in Western history after World War I characterized by a social revolution, a surge of mass consumerism, as well as cultural and artistic dynamism. For the first time in the twentieth century, society embraced opulence and luxury, as illustrated by the popularity of high-quality, rich fabrics, prints, precious stones, furs, and feathers, intricate décor, expensive cars, and many other luxuries.
Consequently, luxe jewel tones were preferred in the fashion of the 1920s, specifically jade greens, peacock blue-greens, and rich reds. Notably, the excess in luxury inherent to that period not only signified that people enjoyed themselves, but society was also overwhelmed by a sense of impending failure and doom.
Color Symbolism in the Novel
Blue
In the novel, the most prominent use of the color blue is associated with the billboard advertising the services of oculist Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. The doctor’s eyes were “blue and gigantic – their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles” (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 38). The doctor’s gaze is tranquil and melancholic, which can also be perceived as lonely. Therefore, the color blue can be connected to Gatsby’s inner reflections and self-perception.
Even though the main character tries to put his name and mansion in the spotlight to capture Daisy’s attention, the “blue leaves” and the “blue lawn” suggest his loneliness and melancholy (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 217; p. 259). The inner sadness and lack of fulfillment that Gatsby experiences are also evident in his inability to fully participate in his lavish parties, as he feels that he is not the same as other wealthy individuals. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the color blue is a symbol of illusion, as the character is consumed by dreams about his fantasy life with Daisy, which only lasted a moment.
Green
The theme of the color green is woven throughout the entire novel to signify vitality, hope, and confidence, as well as a symbol of Gatsby’s short life. A depiction of the green light occurs several times in the novel, twice at the end of the first chapter. Nick says, “Involuntarily, 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, 2021, p. 36). What readers find out later is that the green light is at the end of Daisy’s dock, which illustrates Gatsby’s desire to be with her and the hope that they will ultimately be together.
After the “beautiful shirts” scene, Gatsby and Daisy are alone, and he says to her: “You always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock. […] Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever” (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 135). Spending nights looking at the green light, Gatsby imagined the moment he would be with Daisy at last, not realizing that his plans would fail.
The green light reappears at the end of the novel, after Gatsby’s death. Nick notes that “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic 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, 2021, p. 259). In addition to representing the disillusionment of the character’s dream, the glimmering of the green light signified hope and the endless struggle toward reaching one’s dreams.
White
In the novel, white symbolizes purity, predominantly associated with Daisy, who wore a white dress during her first meeting with Gatsby and when Nick visited her in East Egg. Even when she was younger, Daisy attracted the attention of many young officers by dressing in white and driving a white car, being the epitome of pure beauty and luxury that is unattainable to many. Nick mentions, “She dressed in white, and had a little white roadster, and all day long the telephone rang in her house and excited young officers from Camp Taylor demanded the privilege of monopolizing her that night” (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 109).
Furthermore, white, Daisy’s color, is also hidden in the symbol of her own name, as the daisy is a white flower. However, it must be noted that behind Daisy’s purity lies superficiality, hollowness, and selfishness, which illustrates that white can be used to conceal one’s character and deceive others.
Yellow
Yellow is a common color in the novel, symbolizing wealth and materialism, as well as Gatsby’s desire to project his idealized outer self onto others. Western culture has always placed significance on gold and the status that it gives to people. Gatsby dedicated himself to earning a lot of money to win over Daisy, with his yellow car, golden tie, and his “glistening hors-d’oeuvres […] turkeys bewitched to a dark gold” served at parties (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 60).
Yellow and gold are symbols of luxury intended to attract Daisy, who appears to love money and enjoys herself highly, living a wealthy and opulent lifestyle: “His bedroom was the simplest […] except where the dresser was garnished with a toilet set of pure dull gold. Daisy took the brush with delight, and smoothed her hair, whereupon Gatsby sat down and shaded his eyes and began to laugh” (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 133). In many ways, Daisy is Gatsby’s golden woman, but the problem with gold is that it can fade over time, just like Gatsby’s disillusionment.
Red
Red is the color of blood, woven into the narrative of the story to symbolize violence, danger, lust, and cruelty. Red and white are the dominant colors of Daisy’s and Tom’s estate, with the red symbolizing Tom’s selfishness and arrogant character, as he grew up filthy rich and had never shown concern for others because he could have had anything he wanted. He cheats on Daisy with Mrs. Wilson, and when he discovers Gatsby’s affair with Daisy, Tom shamelessly takes her to Gatsby’s house to show him that he is the one who has power over Daisy. Furthermore, Tom instigates Mr. Wilson to shoot Gatsby after learning that Daisy unintentionally killed Myrtle.
Grey
Finally, grey is a common color in the novel, used to symbolize bleakness, moral decay, and the spiritual emptiness inherent to many characters. Specifically, the valley of ashes is a symbol of disillusionment: “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (Fitzgerald, 2021, p. 37).
The grayness of the valley is juxtaposed with the golden parties that the wealthy threw, which points to a degree of denial of the impending failure. From a spiritual standpoint, those who want to party endlessly without acknowledging the bleakness of the world deceive themselves and are thus destined to face the repercussions of their carelessness.
Conclusion
To conclude, the colors in “The Great Gatsby” are no coincidence, but serve as deliberate symbols chosen by the author to reflect the characters’ personal goals and attributes, as well as the society they inhabit. For example, while blue is a symbol of Gatsby’s inner struggles, green represents the elusive hope of reaching the American Dream, and white represents the illusion of purity and innocence. By examining the symbolism of these colors, readers can gain a deeper appreciation of the novel’s themes and the complex characters that inhabit its world. The novel reminds us that the most vibrant colors can sometimes hide the darkest secrets.
Reference
Fitzgerald, F. S. (2021). The Great Gatsby. Project Gutenberg.