What does the green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolize for Gatsby?

The green light symbolizes Gatsby's hopes and dreams, particularly his desire to reunite with Daisy and recapture the past.

How does Fitzgerald use the color yellow in 'The Great Gatsby' to develop a theme?

Fitzgerald uses yellow to symbolize the corruption and moral decay associated with wealth, contrasting the allure of gold with the reality of death and destruction.

Nick Carraway describes Gatsby as having an 'extraordinary gift for hope.' How does this contribute to the novel's themes?

Gatsby's unwavering hope, despite the odds, underscores the allure and ultimately the futility of pursuing the American Dream, highlighting the dangers of clinging to an idealized past.

What is the significance of Gatsby's parties in relation to the themes of the novel?

Gatsby's lavish parties symbolize the superficiality and moral emptiness of the wealthy elite during the Jazz Age, exposing the decadence and disillusionment beneath the glittering surface.

In what way does Daisy Buchanan represent the unattainable nature of the American Dream?

Daisy represents the allure of wealth and social status that Gatsby desires, but her shallowness and moral ambiguity reveal the emptiness at the heart of the American Dream.

Gatsby's Symbols and Themes

Grade 10th Grade · ELA · 60 min

What's Included

Learning Objective

I can analyze how Fitzgerald uses symbolism to develop themes in The Great Gatsby.

Warm-Up Video

CrashCourse · 11:43

Like Pale Gold - The Great Gatsby Part 1: Crash Course English Literature #4

Guided Notes

3 key concepts

1
Nick Carraway, the narrator of *The Great Gatsby*, grew up in the Midwest before moving to West Egg, New York, and inherited his wealth through a Civil War substitution.
2
In *The Great Gatsby*, the color yellow is used to symbolize not only wealth, but also death, corruption, and amorality.
3
Gatsby's parties and wealth are all about winning back Daisy Buchanan, and the green light at the end of her dock symbolizes his hopes and dreams.

Practice Questions

12 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

Quick comprehension check

“Explain how the color yellow is used as a symbol in *The Great Gatsby*, and what it represents about the themes of wealth and the American Dream.”

Teacher Guide

Get the complete package:

Answer keys for all questions
Differentiation strategies
Extension activities
Printable student handouts

Gatsby's Symbols and Themes

What's Included

Learning Objective

Warm-Up Video

Guided Notes

Practice Questions

Exit Ticket

Teacher Guide

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