Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby has more relevance in today's society than when it was written. With the recent social trend emphasizing the lack of morals and material wealth over a meaningful existence, Fitzgerald's message really hits home. What is more important: money or love? Social status or being true to yourself? Fitzgerald uses metaphors and symbols to great effect to illustrate what can happen when the pursuit of happiness is distorted (by American ideals) into the pursuit of money. One of the main symbols of the novel is the color green. Green represents the hopes and dreams of people striving to achieve the American dream of wealth and glory. Green is the color of money and is often used to convey the concept of wealth, especially in reference to Gatsby. Whenever Gatsby's mansion is described, the color green is always mentioned. His house is surrounded by "a great green lawn" or "green ivy" growing on his house. The interior of his car is described as "a kind of green leather porch"... middle of paper ... learn and take a second look to determine what is truly fulfilling in life. Works Cited Bewley, Marius. "Scott Fitzgerald's Critique of America." In modern critical interpretations: The Great Gatsby. edited by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers. 1986. 11-27. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner Classic, 1986.McAdams, Tony. "The Great Gatsby: An Examination of Metaphor and Symbolism." In readings on the great Gatsby. edited by Katie de Koster. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press. 1998. 111-120.