Abstract: Period from 1920 to 1930 in America was considered as the Jazz Age. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was an famous “Chronicler” and “ Poet Laureate” in this period. After published his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby was highly appreciated. The use of symbols in The Great Gatsby was very broad and skilled, almost everything that exists in this novel has its symbolic meaning, which penetrated in the plot, characterization and the moral meaning, etc. It also makes this topic full of research significance. This paper mainly starts from symbolic angle, analyzing this novel in three major areas: The function of symbol in literature, the symbolic meaning of color words, the symbolic meaning of settings and the symbolic meaning of the American dream. This paper initially introduces Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald , The Great Gatsby and the application of symbols in this work. Then, the paper author introduces the definition of symbol and its function in literature. Afterwards, it explains the different meaning of four color words appeared in the novel and analyzes the combination of characters and color descriptions, making the symbolic meaning of this novel relates to the character itself. It points out that the author uses different colors to symbolize through character, destiny and other factors. Fitzgerald’s skillful use of color, strengthens the character of artistic quality and deepens the theme. This thesis also introduces the use of settings such as animals briefly. Then, explain the symbolic meaning of the American dream and analyze the meaning of the banquet and valley ashes. Finally, analyze the theme of the novel, money and material wealth is the premise and guarantee to maintain social relationship. This novel splendidly described lost generation’s sorrow feelings about the American dream’s disillusion. 

Key words: The Great Gatsby; symbol; color; setting; American Dream 

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Symbols in Literature.2

2.1 Definition of Symbols

2.2 Symbols in Literature

3. Symbols in The Great Gatsby.5

3.1 Color Symbols

3.1.1 Green

3.1.2 Blue

3.1.3 Yellow 

3.1.4 White

3.2 Object Symbols

3.2.1 The Valley Ashes

3.2.2 The Moth

3.2.3 The Dog

3.3 ”The American Dream” in The Great Gatsby

4. Conclusion10

Bibliography.11

Acknowledgements12