Analysis of Symbols Used in The Great Gatsby

Abstract

The present study entitled “ Analysis of Symbols Used in The Great Gatsby” aimed to find out the symbolic uses of the words and phrases in the novel The Great Gatsby. The symbols were extracted purposively by using the theoretical tools of symbolism and analyzed within the context of occurrence. The research study was based on the library research and the study followed the norms of qualitative methods of data analysis within the form of ‘words’ and ‘phrases’. After analyzing the symbols, it was found that Fitzgerald reinforced various personal and private symbols in the novel. Different colors, characters, places, events, seasons, gestures etc. are used as symbols. Color symbolism are highly focused. Among those symbols the green light is found to be the most influential symbol in the novel. This study consists of four chapters. Chapter one deals with general background, review of related literature, objectives and significance of the study. Chapter two includes methodology of study sources of data, sampling procedure, tools for data collection, process of data collection and limitations of the study. Chapter three consists of analysis and interpretation of the collected data. Chapter four discusses the finding and recommendations based on the analysis and interpretation of the data that are followed by reference and appendices.