1. The Green Light: Throughout the novel, the green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's unattainable dream of winning back Daisy's love and achieving wealth and social status. The green light also represents the American Dream and the idea of hope and aspiration.
Quote: "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…"
2. The Valley of Ashes: The valley of ashes represents the moral and social decay of society due to the pursuit of wealth and materialism. It serves as a symbol of the emptiness and corruption underlying the glamorous facade of the wealthy characters in the novel.
Quote: "This is a valley of ashes—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."
3. The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg: The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg on the billboard in the valley of ashes symbolize the eyes of God watching over society and passing judgment on the characters' actions. They represent the theme of moral decay and the consequences of immorality and corruption.
Quote: "The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose."
4. The Color White: The color white symbolizes purity, innocence, and the illusion of perfection throughout the novel. White is often associated with Daisy Buchanan, who presents herself as pristine and untouched, but ultimately proves to be morally corrupt and shallow.
Quote: "They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. "It makes me sad because I've never seen such—such beautiful shirts before."
4 motifs in The Great Gatsby with explanation and quote from story
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