What do you think the green light in the Great Gatsby symbolises?

Gatsby's green light is symbolic of his dream. This usually is tied with attaining Daisy, but can also be traced back to the green trees we see at the end of the book, which also shows how his dream is tied to the American Dream. Many have also said that, as it is green, it is also symbolic of the green of American dollar bills. One important thing to not here, is that Gatsby never reaches his dream, much like many never reached the American Dream, so the green light also shows us something that is desired, but ultimately unattainable.

GB
Answered by Georgina B. English Literature tutor

4832 Views

See similar English Literature A Level tutors

Related English Literature A Level answers

All answers ▸

Compare the presentation of love in Hemingway's The End of Something and Roberts' Your Shoes


Explore the ways in which jealousy is explored in Wuthering Heights and Othello


Williams and Webster present societies in which ‘Black deeds must be cured by death’. In what ways could you apply this statement about sin and justice to your study of ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’?.


Othello: ‘Typically, texts about husbands and wives present marriage from a male point of view.’ In the light of this view, discuss how Shakespeare presents the relationship between Othello and Desdemona in this extract and elsewhere in the play.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning