Amy Chen
May 3, 2012
Block E
Gatsby's Symbolic House

In literature, symbols are used to add deeper meaning to the story or hint at an emotion or attitude towards something without directly stating it. Sometimes they are obvious while other times sometimes they are hidden, regardless, they are used to enhance the story. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses symbolism to create a more realistic story for the reader. Although, many symbols are present throughout the story, Gatsby's house represents something more than just a luxurious building; his house reveals Gatsby's true character, love for Daisy and his struggle to maintain it.
Gatsby's lavish mansion is described early on in the story which illustrates …show more content…

To prevent this, he goes through the trouble of firing and rehiring employees. His house plays a big role in luring Daisy to him; by firing his employees, it proves that he is willing to do almost anything for Daisy.
Gatsby's house symbolizes happiness, yet it also represents pain. The firm grasp of Daisy Gatsby once had slowly loosens and disappears (C). His dreams of Daisy dies along with Gatsby when Wilson shoots him in his pool. The place where they rekindle, is the same place where the “holocaust was complete” (Fitzgerald 162). Fitzgerald uses “holocaust” to indicate that everything Daisy and Gatsby once had is officially gone. When Nick calls Daisy, he learns that “She and Tom had gone away early that afternoon, and taken baggage with them,” leaving no address behind, it proves that Daisy has retreated back to Tom (Fitzgerald 164). Daisy absence at Gatsby's funeral, is the ultimate proof that she never intended on having a long-term relationship with him. When Nick is about to leave West Egg, he revisits Gatsby's house and notices that the “house was still empty... the grass on his lawn had grown as long as mine” (Fitzgerald 179) (CC). Gatsby's uncut grass exposes his uncared for house; this contradicts the previous appearances, where his grass was always tamed. It is also evidence that Daisy has not returned, thus she has forgotten him. If she had really loved Gatsby, his house would not give off a dead-like aura as Nick