Literary Topic

The Great Gatsby

Color Symbolism: RED

Red represents the harsh realities of the dream Gatsby and others want to obtain.

In the novel, Nick is amazed by the reds and the rosiness of the Buchanans' house.

Gatsby collected jewels, "chiefly rubies" in the past. Red also represents the blood and violence that comes at the end of the dream.

After Tom hits his mistress Myrtle in the face, her nose is covered in blood.

Finally, red represents the violence and destruction that has become apparent in the novel. This is demonstrated when Myrtle is hit by a car driven by Daisy and is killed.

Page created on April 28, 1999.
Curator: Michael Schlesinger