Weather
Pathetic fallacy is a literary device that Fitzgerald has incorporated in The Great Gatsby. Scorching heat typically causes tense emotions. As chapter 7 is the climax of the novel, Fitzgerald uses heat from the beginning of this chapter to foreshadow future events. The "day was broiling, almost the last, certainly the warmest, of the summer" when Tom confronts Gatsby in the suite and shortly after when Myrtle dies (114). Daisy links her own confusion about her feelings towards Gatsby and Tom to the weather by stating, "it's so hot and everything's so confused" (118).
The Valley of Ashes
The valley of ashes symbolizes the failures of the American Dream. It is a grim and grey place where everything is in ruins. The people who live in the valley of ashes, such as Wilson, Myrtle, and Michaelis, symbolize the poor working class, who despite the rising economy, have only grown poorer. In Chapter 7, the valley of ashes is a very prominent symbol as Myrtle's life is "violently extinguished”, and “her thick dark blood” mingles “with the dust" (137). The valley of ashes symbolizes death, despair, decay, and the complete lack of moral and social values present in the 1920s.
The Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg
The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg is a billboard in the valley of ashes advertising a local optometrist, long gone out of business. This symbolizes the American Dream failing, as businesses went bankrupt and people were left unemployed. On the billboard, there is a picture of a fading pair of blue eyes wearing golden glasses. This symbolizes someone always watching over the Americans - perhaps God. The face frowns upon them and "the giant eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg [keep] their vigil" over the valley of ashes (124). The eyes are very important in this chapter, as they symbolizes that God, or a person, is always watching the corruption that is taking place. T.J. Eckleburg has glasses with yellow rims symbolizing the corruption of the 1920s. However, his blue eyes symbolize a spark of hope as they observe American society.
Color Symbolism
Green
Green symbolizes a new beginning. Gatsby feels the "hot, green leather of the seat" as Daisy sits in his car on their way to New York (120). This shows the hope of a new future that Gatsby has instilled in his plan for Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him.
White
For Fitzgerald, white symbolizes purity. Daisy is described as a girl in "a white palace, the king's daughter, the golden girl", cementing Daisy's worth in men's eyes as she is a combination of charm, family wealth, class, and gaiety (120). In chapter 7, Daisy and Jordan wear white dresses to symbolize their purity, or appearance of purity, in contrast to Daisy's actions.
Yellow
Yellow symbolizes corruption. Gatsby's car is yellow representing his corrupt business dealings (organized crime). Tom also states that "the yellow car" which Daisy was driving killed Myrtle (140). Furthermore, in chapter 7, the colour symbolism relating to Daisy's name is illustrated as she demonstrates the true corrupt nature of her character. Daisy fails Gatsby, as she is unable to leave her husband, and she does not stop, after she has hit and killed Myrtle. Finally, Daisy allows Gatsby, the man she supposedly loves, to take the fall for her actions.
Green symbolizes a new beginning. Gatsby feels the "hot, green leather of the seat" as Daisy sits in his car on their way to New York (120). This shows the hope of a new future that Gatsby has instilled in his plan for Daisy to tell Tom that she never loved him.
White
For Fitzgerald, white symbolizes purity. Daisy is described as a girl in "a white palace, the king's daughter, the golden girl", cementing Daisy's worth in men's eyes as she is a combination of charm, family wealth, class, and gaiety (120). In chapter 7, Daisy and Jordan wear white dresses to symbolize their purity, or appearance of purity, in contrast to Daisy's actions.
Yellow
Yellow symbolizes corruption. Gatsby's car is yellow representing his corrupt business dealings (organized crime). Tom also states that "the yellow car" which Daisy was driving killed Myrtle (140). Furthermore, in chapter 7, the colour symbolism relating to Daisy's name is illustrated as she demonstrates the true corrupt nature of her character. Daisy fails Gatsby, as she is unable to leave her husband, and she does not stop, after she has hit and killed Myrtle. Finally, Daisy allows Gatsby, the man she supposedly loves, to take the fall for her actions.
Silver
"Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch, like silver idols" (115).
Blue
"Slowly the white wings of the boat moved against the blue cool limit of the sky" (118).
Crimson
"Gatsby stood in the centre of the crimson carpet and gazed around with fascinated eyes" (116).
Absence of Green Light
In Chapter 1, the reader sees Gatsby reaching out to a green light. The green light symbolizes his dreams to win Daisy. Later in the novel, we find out that the green light is where Daisy lives. Gatsby reaching for the green light also symbolized the impossibility of attaining the American Dream. In this chapter, there is no green light. As Nick leaves Gatsby standing outside Daisy's house, he is "watching over nothing" (145). This is very similar to Chapter 1 where Nick sees Gatsby standing alone; however now, ironically, even though he is on her lawn, his dream has gone and Daisy has slipped from his grasp.