ABSTRACT

F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the most distinguished members of the Lost Generation and the spokesmen of “the Jazz Age” in America in the 1920s. The Great Gatsby is his most well-known fiction, whose thoughts and artistic achievements made a great impact upon people at that time. 

It is widely believed that beside the excellent method and style in narrative form and formation, its unique artistic merit also lies in Fitzgerald’s original and successful use of symbolism in the novel to display his point of view, particularly of his own times. This thesis focuses on the analysis of symbolism. It emphasizes on the clarification and interpretation of the indescribable symbols in the novel, so that the reader can get a better understanding of The Great Gatsby.

Key words: symbolism; symbols; colors; American Dream

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

Chapter Three SYMBOLISM OF OBJECTS IN THE NOVEL -5

3.1 Green Light-5

3.2 The Valley of Ashes-7

3.3 Dr. Eckleburg’s Eyes-7

3.4 The Time-8

3.5 The Weather-8

3.6 The Geography-9

3.7 The Car-9

Chapter Four SYMBOLISM OF COLORS-11

4.1 Green-11

4.2 White-13

4.3 Blue-13

4.4 Gray-14

4.5 Gold and yellow-14

Chapter Five SYMBOLISM OF THE AMERICAN DREAM-15

Chapter Six CONCLUSION-18

WORKS CITED. 19