Metaphor and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

The Valley of Ashes / The American Dream

Rollins

AP Lang, Spring 2014

Symbolism

Symbol: a thing that represents or stands for something else, esp. a material object representing something abstract.

We assign meaning to symbols. Thus, the symbolic meanings of an object or action are understood depending on when, where, how, and by whom they are used. For example, a chain could symbolize unity/strength or

imprisonment.

http://literarydevices.net/symbolism/

The Valley of Ashes Read the article by Roger Starr.

What was the actual ‘valley of ashes’? What does it represent in The Great Gatsby?

http://www.litkicks.com/InGatsbysTracks#.UuP-K9LnZdh

The American Dream Read “Are the Rich Happy?” by Stephen

Leacock

What is the ‘American dream’? The dream, according to Fitzgerald: individualism,

discovery, the pursuit of happiness

What is the ‘American dilemma’? Consider the extravagance/excess of the Jazz Age

The American Dream in Gatsby Discuss Nick’s attitude in chapter 9

[Klipspringer] was one of those who used to sneer most bitterly at Gatsby on the courage of Gatsby’s liquor…” (169)

“After Gatsby’s death the East was haunted for me like that…” (168)

“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy…” (179)

How do Americans idealize ‘success’ (power/wealth/leisure)?

How does Gatsby idealize his dream (Daisy)?

How does the unworthiness of the objects ruin these dreams?

D’Angelo’s Book Club Watch the clip from The Wire, beginning at 0:16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DOy4hCih7w

What is Fitzgerald saying about 'The American Dream' in the ending of The Great Gatsby?

How do you interpret the final line of the novel? “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne ceaselessly

back into the past.” (180)

How would your opinion of the novel change if the book ended with Gatsby and Daisy living happily ever after? Although that ending might be a “happier” ending, would it be authentic? Would it make the book better? Why or why not?