A Brief Analysis of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby_英语论文

摘要

《了不起的盖茨比》是菲茨杰拉德在1925年完成的一部著作, 奠定了他在美国文学史上的地位。小说以二十世纪20年代的纽约市及长岛为背景，以尼克为叙述者，讲述了主人公盖茨比虽出生贫寒，但为了找回失去的恋人，倾其一切追求财富并在成为富翁后，重新追求初恋，但最后却因为初恋丢失生命的故事。该小说再现了“美国梦”的诱惑与破灭。本文旨在研究小说中的象征手法，简要分析了颜色，人物以及物体这三个方面的象征意象。通过运用象征手法，菲茨杰拉德揭示了他那个时代社会现实与浮华表面下“美国梦”的幻灭。

关键词：《了不起的盖茨比》；象征；颜色；人物；物体

Abstract

The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece written in1925, which helped Fitzgerald get the position in the history of modern American literature. The novel set its background in New York and Long Island in 1920s and Nick is the narrator in the novel. The novel tells the story about Gatsby, who was born poor but tried his best to make a fortune in order to win back his first lover. However, when he became a millionaire, he was killed because of his first lover. In this novel, the temptation and perdition of the “American dream” in 20th century is vividly reproduced. This thesis aims to explore the application of symbolism in the novel and make a brief analysis of the symbolic images of colors, characters and objects. By means of symbolism, Fitzgerald revealed to the readers the social reality and the disillusion of the American dreams behind the prosperity.

Key Words: The Great Gatsby, symbols, colors, characters, objects

Contents

1. Introduction1

2. Demonstration2

2.1 Symbolic colors2

2.1.1 Symbolic meanings of white2

2.1.2 Symbolic meanings of green3

2.1.3 Symbolic meanings of yellow4

2.2 Symbolic characters5

2.2.1 Gatsby5

2.2.2 Daisy6

2.2.3 Tom6

2.3 Symbolic Objects6

2.3.1 The eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg7

2.3.2 The valley of ashes.8

3. Conclusion9

Works Cited10

Bibliography.11