Chapters 1 and 2: Grey

In chapters 1 and 2, the color gray appears many times and is used to show the
differences in the lives of those living during the time of the story. Fitzgerald describes the
narrators new house as weather-beaten cardboard bungalow at eighty a month (3). This
description makes me think of the color gray because he is living an unfortunate life in a dark,
dingy home near the quiet ocean. In comparison to the glimmering, luxurious life of Mr. Gatsby,
Daisy, Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Baker, Nicks life is a boring one. He does not party like they do
or buy unnecessary items for fun, as he states that he has only ever been drunk twice in his life.
The use of the color gray over another color to describe this shows that Nick's life was one that
was not desired at this time.
Nick, the narrator, and Tom Buchanan go to meet Mr. Buchanans mistress in the gloomy,
abandoned town between West Egg and New York, where she lives with her husband in his
shadow of a garage (25). The area is described as a valley of ashes which, in my mind,
automatically translates to the color gray, as that is the color of ashes (25). There are many more
places where the color gray is mentioned or the imagery used provokes the idea of the color gray
to show the bleak life of Myrtle, Tom's mistress. In the second chapter, the color is used to show
the difference between Myrtles life when she is with her husband compared to when she is with
Tom. When Tom and Myrtle are together, they live extravagantly and have a lot of fun in the
colorful New York apartment, but with her husband, Myrtle is stuck in an abandoned town with a
dust-covered garage.
The color gray is used similarly in each chapter, but to compare different people. As a
reader, it provides a lot of information as to what a typical life was at the time of the story
because I know what a bad one looks like. In the scenes that it is used, I almost feel bad for the
characters that are living this way because Fitzgeralds vivid imagery forces you to imagine what
that life would be like and to desire something more.
Chapter 3: Yellow
Chapter 3 of F. Scott Fitzgeralds, The Great Gatsby, features the color yellow as Nick
Carraway attends his first party at Mr. Gatsbys house. Yellow is commonly thought of as a
bright, joyful color and serves just that purpose as it symbolizes the feeling of gaiety that
Gatsbys parties create. Mr. Carraway states that the orchestra [was] playing yellow cocktail
music at the party (40). This seemingly simplistic description of the music forces readers to
imagine the upbeat, electric music pulsing through the endless sea of people filling the Gatsby
mansion. The image created is one of lighthearted, fun times for the characters and gives the
readers this feeling as well. In addition, there are numerous accounts of the bright, colorful lights
that made me imagine a glowing yellow color that extends throughout the party. Again, the color
yellow is representing the joy and pure bliss that all of the party guests are feeling.
Yellow is used in a different way later in the chapter when it describes various women.
Fitzgerald plainly states, two girls in twin yellow dresses when he describes a pair of twins that
are an act at the party (42). However, they take a liking to Nick Carraway and talk to him for a
while. As the conversation goes on, the narrator continuously describes them as the girls in
yellow. I think that this is symbolic of the way women were portrayed as being cheerful and
living an easy, simple life without having to work or have important responsibilities. Later, the
narrator makes note of Jordan Bakers slender golden arm as they are walking together. This
remark shows the perfection and awe that Nick sees in Mrs. Bakers figure. The scenes in which

yellow plays a dominant role are all very joyful, carefree times for the characters, enhancing the
idea of yellow as a symbol for jubilee and pleasure in this work.
Chapter 4: White
The color white appears numerous times in symbolic ways throughout chapter four of
The Great Gatsby. Most importantly, the color is used to symbolize the artificial purity and
innocence of Daisy Fay. While discussing Daisy, Jordan Baker states, she dressed in white, and
had a little white roadster (74). Using the simple description with the word white, Fitzgerald
emphasizes the fact that Daisys character is known to be innocent and pure, until her past, in
relation to men, is described. Daisy was known to mingle with and befriend countless men
throughout her younger years, until she settled down with Tom Buchanan. However, while she
was somewhat boy-crazy, rumors circulated the town about her. At the time of the story, Daisy
does not drink and has developed her upstanding reputation once again.
Before Daisy and Toms wedding, he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars (76). The string of pearls brings about the color white in my mind
and, again, a sense of symbolic purity of the heart and mind. To me, pearls in general have
always somewhat symbolized classiness and innocence, so that is what this scene made me think
of. The way Daisy comes across as this perfect, classy woman is most likely what caused Tom to
give her such an extravagant pearl necklace. Though the color white symbolizes purity and
innocence, the scenes in which it was used in chapter four brought about a sort of mysterious
side of Daisy and what she may be capable of as the story goes on. She gives off a sense of
insincerity and, based on her past, does not seem like she will stay faithful to Mr. Buchanan.
Chapter 5: Gold
Gold is used multiple times in chapter 5 to symbolize Jay Gatsbys extravagance, as well
as the way Daisy and many others in her community idolize him. The night before Daisy is
coming over, Mr. Caraway describes Gatsbys house as blazing with light as it was lit from
tower to cellar (81). This imagery creates a picture of the mansion lighting up the night with the
lights emitting a sparkly, gold hue that covers the sky. This is used to provoke a thought of the
extravagance and luxury that surrounds Gatsby everyday that is so unlike the average individual
at that time. For Nick, especially, who is living next door in a small, word down cottage, he is
amazed by this and many of the other things that Gatsby does.
As Gatsby begins giving Daisy a tour of his mansion, she admirers all of his expensive
belongings using the color gold. Nick writes that she admired the pale gold odor of kiss-me-atthe-gate in the garden of the house. This represents the extreme admiration of others because he
believes simply that the smell of the house is golden. Later, it is said that his dresser was
garnished with a toilet set of pure dull gold (91). This, again, represents extravagance and the
money that Gatsby has obtained. Gatsbys reaction to Daisys admiration also shows how Gatsby
values his fortune and wants Daisy to do the same.

Chapter 6: Green
In chapter 6, readers gain an understanding of the symbolism of green in relation to
Daisy, but also in relation to Gatsbys past. Regarding Daisy, green comes to symbolize her
playfulness and constant growth of new relationships. She tells Nick, at Gatsbys party, Just
mention my name. Or present a green card. Im giving out green when she is talking to him
about arranging for a kiss (104). A common meaning of the color green is growth and energy,
which are characteristics of Daisy as she is constantly energized and flirtatious while developing
new relationships, with men, in particular. Giving out cards that allow people to kiss is
something that is scandalous, but exciting and mysterious, which is something that Daisy
enjoys. A married woman, this is something that I think may come into conflict later in the story
as her relationship with Gatsby, and other men, develops. Earlier in the book, with the green light
coming from Daisys dock, the color represented the hope that Gatsby had to rekindle the
relationship they had started many years ago. However, that light does not resonate the same
emotion in Daisy.
As Nick Carraway recounts the true story of Jay Gatsbys past, the color green appears in
relation to Gatsby and his hopefulness. He states, It was James Gatz who had been loafing along
the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants when relaying
Gatsbys first meeting with Dan Cody (98). His green jersey symbolizes the hope for a promising
future full of success that was among him that day. The fact that Gatsby was wandering along the
shore in ragged clothes shows how far he came from when he was just 17 years old. The color
green can represent prosperity and harmony, which is an accurate description of Jay Gatsbys
present life. As we now know, Mr. Cody is basically the reason for Gatsbys extreme fortune, so
this was a huge moment in his life. Fitzgerald is trying to show that it was his hope and hard
work that brought him to the luxurious life he now lives.
Chapter 7: Yellow
The color yellow takes on a new, less appealing meaning in chapter 7 of The Great
Gatsby. It continues to represent the money and extravagance of many of the characters, but in a
way that shows how it has corrupted them. The biggest representation of this is in the color of the
car that killed Myrtle. Tom tells Mr. Wilson, "'He says he knows the car that did itIt was a
yellow car, as commotion from the crowds of police and bystanders filled the garage (140). As
we learn later, Daisy was driving this car while distraught over the events that took place
between Gatsby, Tom, and herself just hours before. This is meant to symbolize how, though they
live a life of luxury, that same money creates a platform for many bad things to happen. Their
money has exposed them to things such as Gatsbys parties and the parties in the New York
apartment that simply create moments for women to cheat on their husbands, or vice versa, the
way Tom and Daisy have both done. If the two had not cheated on each other, the events leading
up to the death of Mrs. Wilson would not have taken place.
Nick remarks later in the chapter that he had had enough of all of them for one day,
referring to Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby (142). He was tired of all of their unnecessary drama and
commotion. There is a huge comparison between Nick and the Buchanans; Nick is perfectly
satisfied with his small cottage and quaint lifestyle, while neither Tom nor Daisy are satisfied
with each other. Though they each come from old money, they are living in different areas with
different cultures. Daisy says to her daughter, Did mother get powder on your yellowy hair?
(117). Though this is a simple description of the girls blonde hair, there is a greater meaning

behind it. The color yellow still represents the corruption that an abundance of money brings. In
this case, the young girl is living in a world full of money and extreme wealth in a place where it
is not valued the way it should be. Thus, the child will learn from her parents that you can simply
use your money to get what you want and will eventually become corrupted in the same ways
they are.
Chapter 8: White
Chapter 8 revisits the idea of the symbolism of the color white in relation to Daisy, and
now Gatsbys, false innocence and good character. Since we, as readers, know the truth about
each of the characters, the symbolism is used to show that there are still people living in the East
and West Egg that see Gatsby and Daisy the same way they were introduced in the beginning of
the novel. As Nick is describing the story of the years leading up to the time of the book, he
discusses the day Gatsby returns to Louisville, where he and Daisy met, and was revisiting the
out-of-the-way places to which they had driven in her white car (152). This quote is interesting
because it is describing the past when Daisy was considered innocent, but knowing what happens
in the future, it shows that any purity or innocence that is expressed about her is false. The color
white shows the innocent girl she was before falling in love with Gatsby and then losing him.
She changed a lot from being with him and lives a much different lifestyle with Tom that consists
of being involved with other men, even though she is still viewed as pure and innocent from her
appearance.
Jay Gatsby, we now know, made all of his money from occupations such as drug dealing
and bootlegging, which are far from innocent or respected. Although, he has been able to stitch
together a life that is believable to the outsiders and strangers that show up to his party, therefore,
many people simply see Gatsby as a mysterious guy, but they enjoy his parties, so they do not get
too involved in trying to figure him out. Nick describes the way Gatsby stands at the ends of his
parties in his gorgeous pink rag of a suit [that] made a bright spot of color against the white
steps (154). Gatsbys steps are symbolic of the way he stands above everyone at his parties, and
the color of those steps are symbolic of what his party guests view him as; a rich guy that throws
amazing parties. Like Daisy, Gatsby portrays himself as someone he is not and someone who is
much more pure and good than who he really is. With the help of the narrator, Nick Caraway,
readers gain this interesting perspective on the two characters.
Chapter 9: Dark Colors
There is a trend of dark colors in the final chapter of The Great Gatsby in relation to the
death of Jay Gatsby and the general somber tone of the end of the novel as well as how the past
is not something to dwell on. As the plans for Gatsbys funeral are being arranged, Nick makes a
huge effort to get someone, anyone, to care. He goes to Mr. Wolfsheims office and, as he is
leaving, states, When I left his office the sky had turned dark and I got back to West Egg in a
drizzle (172). Wolfsheim and most of the others that Nick alerted about the funeral refused and
this baffled Nicks upstanding morals and tendency to care for others. This dark, somber tone is
enhanced by the use of the description of the weather at the time. Fitzgerald uses the weather as
symbolism throughout the novel, but has now combined the weather and colors to provoke deep
emotions from readers and symbolize how Gatsbys life was not a colorful and lively as it
seemed and is instead a lonely one with very few truly good times.

Dark colors are used to symbolize the dullness of the past and how it can bring a person
down in the closing lines of the book. Fitzgerald writes, [Gatsby] did not know what it was
already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields
of the republic rolled on under the night (180). This quote shows Nicks feelings towards the
past and how badly it can hold a person back. Gatsby was so stuck in the past and his image of
Daisy that he did not think straight about his actions because he was so set on pleasing her. What
he did not know was that Daisy had already moved on and, just as she was the green light at the
end of the dock, she was the light of Gatsbys life and that light went out without Gatsby
realizing it, and he was stuck in the darkness. The lights were always on at Gatsbys house as
long as his dream was alive, but, as soon as the lights went out, readers knew the dream had
passed. Therefore, the dark colors symbolize the way that Gatsby was left behind with only a
dream and Daisy was able to continue her life and forget about him.