The Great Gatsby: Conclusion and Symbolism

The conclusion of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" serves as a powerful commentary on the American Dream and the society of the 1920s. This page delves into the symbolic elements and character revelations that bring the novel to its poignant close.

Highlight: The conclusion reinforces the central theme that the rich often take advantage of others, reflecting the nature of 1920s society.

Gatsby's Death and Funeral

Gatsby's death and the subsequent funeral reveal much about the characters and their true nature. The sparsely attended funeral underscores the superficiality of the relationships Gatsby had cultivated.

Quote: "poor son-of-a-bitch"

This quote, uttered at Gatsby's funeral, encapsulates the tragedy of his life – a man who gave everything to everyone and ultimately ended up with nothing.

The Green Light Symbolism

The green light, a recurring motif throughout the novel, takes on its final significance in the conclusion.

Vocabulary: Epiphany - A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.

Nick experiences an epiphany regarding the green light's symbolism:

Quote: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."

This quote emphasizes how the green light represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams, particularly his idealized vision of Daisy and the life he imagined with her.

Definition: The green light in "The Great Gatsby" symbolizes the American Dream, hope, and the unattainable nature of Gatsby's desires.

Character Revelations

The conclusion brings several character flaws and traits to the forefront:

1. Tom and Daisy's carelessness
2. Gatsby's naivety and obsession with the past
3. Nick's disillusionment with the wealthy elite

Quote: "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."

This quote perfectly encapsulates the recklessness and lack of accountability exhibited by the wealthy characters in the novel.

Final Reflections

Nick's final reflections serve as a powerful conclusion to the novel:

1. The corrupting influence of wealth
2. The impossibility of recapturing the past
3. The hollow nature of the American Dream in the 1920s

Example: Gatsby's attempt to recreate the past with Daisy is likened to "beating against the current," illustrating the futility of his efforts.

The novel concludes by reinforcing the idea that while Gatsby's hope may have been admirable, it was ultimately foolish in the face of a society that values wealth and status above all else.