12. The Significant Symbols in "The Great

In The Great Gatsby, symbols work together to show the themes of the American Dream, desire, and the corruption of dreams. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock represents Gatsby’s hope to reach his dreams and his belief that he can go back to the past with her. The valley of ashes shows the moral decay of society and the big gap between the rich and the poor. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg on a billboard represent the loss of real values and the fading American Dream. Gatsby’s big parties, full of luxury and surface-level fun, represent the emptiness of trying to find happiness in wealth. Finally, the clock Gatsby knocks over during his meeting with Daisy stands for the passage of time and his hopeless attempt to turn back time and relive the past. Together, these symbols show how the American Dream can be a false hope, how time can’t be changed, and the dangers of chasing empty dreams.