Red In The Great Gatsby

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In 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald published what would come to be known as the ‘great American novel.’ The book features an array of characters in the 1920’s, each with their own morals and goals, and throws them. While the narration and observations by Nick Carraway contribute to understanding aspects of the story, it isn’t the only device that makes the story. Fitzgerald makes the glorious scenery and decorum a key factor to the story; a key factor which requires imagery and descriptions to complete. Through these descriptions, he’s able to implement colors and symbols with underlying tones and meanings. Fitzgerald incorporates the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg and the archetypes and underlying emblematic qualities of colors such as red to further …show more content…
. .” A few of the archetypes of red could be used here, specifically aggression or disorder. The placement of red here symbolizes the coming destruction of the Buchanans’ relationship. Another example of this same bloody representation was the red-belted ships present in the valley of ashes. This example could be seen as serving to assure one that red has a destructive role in this novel. Red is seen throughout the book playing violent roles, foreshadowing where something will be destroyed, such as Myrtle’s red hair, or where something has already been decimated. Yet, this tone appears to be flexible, and almost appears to depend on shade. The Buchanans’ room was crimson, a darker shade, with a more violent symbolity. Gatsby’s last smile to Nick was described as a, “gorgeous pink,” a color which describes unconditional love and understanding; the summary of Nick and Gatsby’s relationship throughout the book as they’re coined to be the only ‘likable’ characters. Red is but one example of how Fitzgerald incorporates colored tones into the setting to express plot points. The tones the colors are meant to represent encourage the reader to feel a certain way about different …show more content…
One specific example of this is Myrtle’s death. Myrtle is hit by Gatsby’s yellow car, in the grey valley of ashes, spilling red blood, all while under the watch of none other than T.J. Eckleberg. Diving a bit deeper into this, Gatsby’s car is yellow to represent money and death. It’s yellow instead of gold because he’s new money, so he’s fake money. This exact manner is also seen at Gatsby’s party, when the two flapper girls at Gatsby’s party are seen as less alluring than Jordan, who’s dressed in gold for her old money. TJ Eckleberg’s glasses are also yellow, and are high in the sky, representing higher society. Death just happens to be one of the symbols yellow can mean. The valley of ashes is always described in drab and sadistic colors, mainly tones of grey. Grey’s archetype is lifelessness, which not only describes the entire setting of the valley, but also Myrtle’s state by the end of the book. Red itself can represent blood, as well as violent passion, and death itself. Finally, Doctor TJ Eckleberg has the role of being the God to watch what his world is coming down to. From seeing Myrtle herself die, to watching the devastated Wilson sob over his dead whore of a wife, the scrutinizing eyes give away the message the events of the night were tragic and would permanently alter life for all
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