Comments on Symbolism of Colors in The Great Gatsby
Abstract: F · Scott Fitzgerald is a famous American writer of the 1920s. The Great Gatsby is his representative work. In this novel, the writer vividly portrays the life style and spiritual features of the younger generation in America in “the Jazz Age” by using symbolism. And the skillful use of the abundant symbols of colors well expresses the writer’s thoughts and feelings. These symbols of colors also play an important role in depicting the characters of the figures, promoting the development of the plots, reflecting the features of the age and deepening the theme of the work－the disillusionment of the “American Dream”. And the profound social significance reflected by the novel is also very enlightening. The writer of this thesis will try to analyze the symbolic meaning and function of the colors in this work, and the enlightenment which the novel brings to the younger generation in China.
Key Words: color; symbol; The Great Gatsby; the American Dream
论《了不起的盖茨比》中的色彩象征
摘 要：《了不起的盖茨比》是美国20世纪20年代著名作家弗·斯科特·菲茨杰拉德的代表作。在这部小说中，作者成功地运用象征主义手法，栩栩如生地描绘了“爵士时代”美国年轻一代的生活方式和精神面貌。其中大量色彩象征的巧妙运用很好地表达了作者的思想感情。这些色彩象征在刻画人物性格、推动情节发展、反映时代特征和深化作品主题－“美国梦”的幻灭上也起到很重要的作用。而作品反映出的深刻的社会意义也很有启发性。笔者将试着分析这部作品中色彩的象征意义和作用及这部小说带给中国年轻一代的启示。
关键词：色彩；象征；《了不起的盖茨比》；美国梦
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. Research Background 1
1.1 Brief Introduction of the Writer………………………………………………………….1
1.2 Brief Introduction of "the Jazz Age"……………………………………………………..2
1.3 Brief Introduction of the Work…………………………………………………………..2
1.4 Brief Introduction of Symbolism 4
2. Analyze the Symbols of Colors in The Great Gatsby 4
2.1 The Color of Green 4
2.1.1The Green Jersey 4
2.1.2 The Green Light 5
2.2 The Color of Blue 6
2.2.1 The Blue Coat 6
2.2.2 Gatsby’s Blue Garden 7
2.2.3 The Blue Eyes of Doctor T . J. Eckleburg and Wilson 7
2.3 The Colors of Yellow, gold and silver 8
2.3.1 About Gatsby and Daisy 8
2.4 The Color of White 9
2.4.1 About Daisy 9
2.4.2 About Gatsby 11
2.5 The Color of Grey 11
2.5.1 The Valley of Ashes 11
2.6 The Color of Black 12
2.6.1 About Daisy 12
2.6.2 Gatsby's Funeral 14
3. Conclusion 15
4. Bibliography 20
