What Does The Color Gold Symbolize in The Great Gatsby

The color gold holds a significant symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's renowned novel, The Great Gatsby. Throughout the text, the author utilizes the color gold to represent various themes and ideas, including wealth, materialism, and the American Dream. This essay will explore the symbolism of the color gold in The Great Gatsby, analyzing its implications and shedding light on its deeper meaning. By examining the instances in which gold is mentioned in the novel, we can gain a deeper understanding of the characters and the society they inhabit.

Body

Paragraph 1: The introduction of gold as a symbol of wealth and materialism

The first mention of gold in The Great Gatsby occurs early in the novel when Fitzgerald describes the opulent parties hosted by Jay Gatsby. The author paints a vivid picture of the luxurious atmosphere, stating, "In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars... On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors-d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold" (Fitzgerald, 42). This depiction of gold in relation to the extravagant parties highlights the excessive wealth and materialism prevalent in the society of the 1920s.

This use of gold as a symbol is significant as it reflects the superficiality and shallowness of the characters in the novel. The color gold represents the allure of wealth and the desire to acquire it at any cost. This obsession with material possessions ultimately leads to the characters' moral decay and disillusionment.

Paragraph 2: The association between gold and the American Dream

In The Great Gatsby, the color gold also symbolizes the American Dream, a central theme in the novel. The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. However, Fitzgerald presents a distorted version of this dream, emphasizing the corrupting influence of wealth and the illusion of happiness it brings.

One instance in which gold is used to represent the American Dream is evident in the character of Jay Gatsby himself. Gatsby, originally from a humble background, reinvents himself as a wealthy and successful man in pursuit of his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. His extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle are an attempt to showcase his newfound wealth and win Daisy's affection. The color gold is repeatedly associated with Gatsby's possessions, such as his gold Rolls-Royce and his opulent mansion. This symbolizes his pursuit of the American Dream and the lengths he is willing to go to achieve it.

Paragraph 3: The irony of gold in relation to the characters' happiness

Despite the association between gold and the American Dream, The Great Gatsby suggests that wealth and material possessions do not guarantee happiness. The characters in the novel are trapped in a cycle of emptiness and dissatisfaction, despite their seemingly perfect lives.

One example of this irony is seen through the character of Tom Buchanan. Tom, a wealthy and powerful man, is married to Daisy and appears to have everything one could desire. However, he is entangled in an extramarital affair, highlighting the moral corruption that accompanies the pursuit of wealth. The color gold is subtly used in relation to Tom, symbolizing the false happiness he derives from his material possessions.

Fitzgerald uses the color gold to emphasize the emptiness and hollowness of the characters' lives. The pursuit of wealth and material possessions is ultimately futile, as it fails to bring them true happiness and fulfillment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the color gold in The Great Gatsby symbolizes wealth, materialism, and the American Dream. Fitzgerald expertly utilizes this symbolism to highlight the superficiality, moral decay, and disillusionment prevalent in the society of the 1920s. The characters' obsession with wealth and material possessions ultimately leads to their downfall, as they are unable to find true happiness. Gold, therefore, serves as a cautionary symbol, warning against the dangers of an unchecked pursuit of the American Dream.

The Great Gatsby showcases the detrimental effects of an obsession with wealth and materialism, challenging the notion that these pursuits lead to happiness and fulfillment. By analyzing the instances in which gold is mentioned in the novel, we gain a deeper understanding of the characters and the society they inhabit. The color gold serves as a reminder of the emptiness and hollowness that can accompany the pursuit of wealth, urging readers to reevaluate their own values and priorities.

Overall, Fitzgerald's use of the color gold in The Great Gatsby adds depth and complexity to the novel, shedding light on the darker aspects of the characters' lives and the society in which they exist. By examining the symbolism of gold, readers can gain a richer appreciation of the themes and ideas explored in this timeless piece of literature.

Bibliography

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.