What Does The Color Red Symbolize in The Great Gatsby

Exploring the Symbolism of Red in The Great Gatsby

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," you see the color red pop up all over the place. It's like this big, bold symbol that brings out all sorts of emotions and themes. We usually think of red as being about passion, desire, violence, and yeah, even death. In the novel, it adds layers to the characters and events, really highlighting the darker sides of their lives and what happens because of their choices. Let's dive into how red is used in "The Great Gatsby" and what it means for the characters and overall themes.

What Does Red Stand For?

One big theme in "The Great Gatsby" is chasing after desires and how that can lead to some pretty nasty results. Red is often linked with desire and passion. You can really see this in Jay Gatsby's character. His longing for Daisy Buchanan? That's all tied up with red. Fitzgerald talks about Daisy having "bright lips, red lips" (Fitzgerald, 13), showing off her allure and sensual side. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy pushes him to do crazy stuff, which eventually leads to his downfall. So, red here is kind of a reminder of how dangerous desire can be and how it can end tragically.

Red Means Violence Too

Besides desire, red also stands for violence and aggression in the book. This comes across most clearly with Tom Buchanan. He's described as having "a cruel body" and "red hair" (Fitzgerald, 7). Tom's this big, aggressive guy who loses his temper easily. Red highlights his violent nature and how destructive he can be to those around him. His violent actions mess things up for other characters too, warning us about what happens when power goes unchecked.

Death Wears Red

And then there's death and tragedy linked with red in "The Great Gatsby." Look at Myrtle Wilson—she gets killed in a car accident while wearing a brown dress with a small red scarf (Fitzgerald, 30). That splash of red marks her tragic fate and reminds us of what came from her affair with Tom Buchanan. You also see red when they describe Gatsby's bloody shirt after he's dead, hammering home the theme of tragedy tied up with desire.

Wrapping It Up

To sum it all up, red is a big deal in "The Great Gatsby." It stands for desire, violence, and death. Fitzgerald uses it to add depth to his characters and themes. Red warns us about how dangerous unchecked desires are, what happens when aggression runs wild, and how pursuing your wants without thinking can end badly. Digging into these red symbols gives readers more insight into the characters and themes in the novel—and maybe even makes you think about your own life choices.

References

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
• Mizener, Arthur. “A Study of The Great Gatsby.” Twentieth Century Interpretations: The Great Gatsby; A Collection of Critical Essays edited by Ernest Lockridge.
• Tredell, Nicolas. “Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: The Novel.” Palgrave Macmillan.
• Bloom, Harold (Ed.). Modern Critical Interpretations: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.