Read the novel’s last passage (beginning with, “Gatsby’s house was still
empty when I left”) and discuss the use of imagery and symbolism that
is being employed by Fitzgerald. In your response, specifically address
what Nick is saying about the green light and the connection that he is
making between Gatsby and the Dutch sailors who “discovered” Long
Island.
As Nick is getting ready to move away from New York, he takes a second
to say goodbye to his old lifestyle. His mind flashes back to
the Saturday nights he spent in New York, especially at Gatsby's
parties. Nick uses imagery to describe the lavish house Gatsby lived in
and the lavish parties he threw. Through the use of imagery, one is
almost able to imagine themselves standing in Gatsby's beautiful yard,
surrounded by several people laughing and dancing to music. Nick is also
able to use imagery to describe his moments before getting on the train
and heading off to a new life. He describes what life was after
Gatsby's death. The taxi driver that was rumored to take Daisy and Tom
away, the last of the guests that attended this summers' parties, the
failure of a house, the beach that is now isolated, the empty town: Nick
is able to use these things to help one imagine how dead the East Egg
became once Gatsby was killed. Nick also connects Gatsby and the Dutch
sailors through symbolism. He describes how the Dutch sailors discovered
Long Island and what a huge accomplishment for them. The sailors built
themselves up from nothing and became prosperous from the land they came
upon. This story is symbolic of Gatsby because, in some sense, he did
the same. He built himself up from nothing and was able to come close to
his dreams through the house he built.
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