Symbolism in The Great GatsbyThere are many types of symbolism in the novel The Great Gatsby. Probably the easiest to recognize were the colors and what they symbolized. The most obvious colors to highlight should be green and white. Green supported the feelings of many thoughts, ideas, and changes that Gatsby experienced throughout the story. It also represented peace and determination. White represented innocence and serenity. Another example of symbolism is when Gatsby broke the clock at Nick's house. This symbolized the factor that time played in the characters' lives. The color green in the story was represented by the light at the end of Daisy's pier. This color is sometimes used by writers to represent a sense of greed or peace. The latter was used by F. Scott Fitzgerald to describe Gatsby's life as peaceful before reuniting with Daisy. If he had learned from this color, there is a possibility that he would never have caused problems between Daisy and her husband and therefore would never have been killed. Nick explained this on page 189, saying, "His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly help but grasp it. He didn't know it was already behind him." Another interpretation of the color green could be "Go", as in a traffic light. In the story, it could have symbolized how Gatsby should pursue his dream of marrying Daisy at all costs and regardless of the consequences. If Daisy's dock light had been red, it might have motivated Jay to give up and forget the past. Instead, the green light gave Gatsby hope that his dream might one day come true. The main character's misguided determination, inspired by the light at the end of Daisy's pier, although destined to do well, became the reason for his death. The same determination that drove Gatsby to pursue Daisy was also shown earlier in his life. As a boy, James Gatz sought to become a better person. He dreamed of one day becoming a well-known and respected member of society. At the end of the novel, after Gatsby was killed, Nick met Gatsby's father.