摘  要：弗·司各特·菲茨杰拉德是20世纪20年代美国最杰出的作家之一，其代表作《了不起的盖茨比》，在国内外好评如潮。我们从作品中不仅可以看到作者非凡的叙事技巧，同时也了解到那个特殊的时代中青年人的追求与梦想。

《了不起的盖茨比》从表面看上去描述的是一对男女失败的爱情故事，深层研究可以发现其主题内涵非常广泛。本文试图从象征主义的角度分析这部作品，具体包括四部分：第一部分介绍了菲茨杰拉德和《了不起的盖茨比》；第二部分阐述了象征主义的概念及前人对其的主要研究；第三部分分析了象征意义在小说中颜色、事物以及人物等不同方面的体现；第四部分重点从象征主义角度探讨作品的主题，及其对“美国梦”的本质体现。希望本文有助于读者可以更好地把握《了不起的盖茨比》这部优秀作品的内涵和艺术价值。

关键词：象征意义；《了不起的盖茨比》；主题

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Literature Review 3

2.1 An Introduction of the Symbolism Theory 3

2.2 Previous Studies on The Great Gatsby 3

3 Symbols in The Great Gatsby 5

3.1 The Symbolic Meaning of Objects 5

3.1.1 Green Light 5

3.1.2 The Valley of Ashes 6

3.1.3 New York City 6

3.1.4 East Egg and West Egg 7

3.2 The Symbolic Meaning of Colors 7

3.2.1 Red 8

3.2.2 Blue 8

3.2.3 Yellow 8

3.2.4 White 9

3.2.5 Gold 9

3.3 The Symbolic Meaning of Characters 10

3.3.1 Gatsby 10

3.3.2 Nick 10

3.3.3 Tom and Daisy 11

4 The American Dream and the Symbolic Theme 11

4.1 The American Dream 11

4.2 Gatsby’s Dream 12

4.3 The Symbolic Theme 13

5 Conclusion 13

References 15

A Study on the Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

1 Introduction

The Great Gatsby was written in 1925, when the United States had a soared economy and the society enjoyed the subsequent prosperity. That era was thirst for romance and the surface of the luxury is behind the emptiness and helplessness. Young people were frustrated and disappointed. In that era, the majority of Americans believed in the value of the American dream, which claims that as long as people go through the long-term struggle, they can eventually get a better life, which could be acquired by people's diligence, courage, creativity and determination. The Great Gatsby is one of F Scott Fitzgerald’s most excellent works, which has made him so renowned and prominent in the American literature, through which he becomes one of the representative writers of the “Lost Generation”. Moreover, Gatsby, the protagonist in this novel, is a typical representative of the broken American dream.

Through the novel, we can not only see the author’s exquisite writing skills, but also learn the young people’s pursuit and dream in that special time. The thesis tries to make an analysis of symbolic meanings in objects, characters and colors in the novel to illustrate how the author succeeds in shaping the main character of Gatsby by means of symbolism. Through the use of symbolism, Fitzgerald makes readers more easily learn personal characters and novel’s theme. On the surface, the novel is about love and the disillusionment of dream. In fact, it has complicated and profound meanings. The analysis of the use of symbolism in the novel can be of some help for readers to have a better understanding of the hero’s destiny and reflect on the causes of his tragedy. Through studying the usage of the symbolism, the thesis aims to demonstrate the author’s writing purposes and the social significance. In the thesis, the author tries to revolve around symbolic meanings in objects, colors, and characters to conduct a research on the use of symbolism in the novel with the hope that the analysis can be of some help in a better understanding of the novel and the hero.