Color in The Great Gatsby
A. Choose one important color in The Great Gatsby.
B. Be creative- inspired by our novel, describe the color, & use your ideas: write a poem, tell a story, write a line of vivid imagery.
C. Look back and find references to that color and use one-two quotes.
D. Discuss- what might the color symbolize in The Great Gatsby? What is the importance of this color in the novel?
Color: Cream
ReplyDeletePoem: The clothes and shoes is expensive, cream and sweet,
after lots of sleep, she wakes up cheap.
She sits in her bed wondering when he'll be,
He arrives, she's giddy, feeling free.
As they move through the city with no care her cream dress flows through the air
He’s all white and she’s all cream they’ll never see her as she dreams
When she’s goes back through the gray
She happily thinks about the day
She doesn’t care that he doesn’t know,
all she cares about is her golden glow.
Quote: “Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before, and was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room. With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change.”(30)
“The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur. Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment, and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her, until she seemed to be revolving on a noisy, creaking pivot through the smoky air.”(31)
The color cream in The Great Gatsby symbolizes being something you're not and never being able to fit in. It shows that no matter what you wear and how much money you have you wont compare to anyone with old money and your level of class is projected differently. The importance of the color cream in The Great Gatsby is that Myrtle represents the color cream and Daisy represents the color white, cream is an off version of white, so therefore that's makes Myrtle incomparable to Daisy. She may dress like Daisy or may have money that gave her but she will never be as respected as Daisv and have the same amount of class as Daisy. People that are “cream”will be the same as people that are “white.”
I really like the poem, it definitely perfectly describes the relationship between Myrtle and Tom. I agree with the description of cream. Myrtle is permanently brown and no matter how hard she tries she'll never be the color white, so the 2 are smudged together, in her attempt to be "white", which makes her the color cream.
DeleteThe poem was truly delightful as it helps convey the significance of the color cream, which is linked with having the desire of being the color white. In the poem we see how a girl wears her cream gown as she dances with her lover, but despite having the desire to be of the color white standards, she still faces small moments of despair. Hence, she continues to enjoy herself, despite not being in a gown of white but of cream, similar to Myrtles transition within the novel where she changes into a cream dress to appear rich in the city.
DeleteI really liked the poem. I think it analyzes not only the color, but also the emotions associated with the color really well. What stuck out to me in your analysis was the fact that you compared Myrtle to Daisy specifically. I never thought about comparing the two, and it's interesting to find out if Tom and the others/see or care that Myrtle is trying to be fake.
DeleteYour poem was really really good Olivia :), I was really put into a deep thought with your analysis it made me step out of the box and think of the things going on in the novel in a way I hadn't thought of it before.
DeleteColor: White
ReplyDeleteStory: Her house was like an enormous palace filled with marble floors, crystal windows and enchanting stairs. There was not a gleam of dust in sight. Everything was intact and placed accordingly. Everywhere I looked I was followed by my own reflection. Her whole furniture was white giving the place its elegance and class. I was astonished to see her beautiful white dress flutter as she walked down the glassy stairs. She was blessed with the luxurious life I often craved for.
Quotes: “They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.” (8)
“as cool as their white dresses in the absence of all desire” (12)
Analysis: The color white in the Great Gatsby symbolizes wealth and cleanliness. Daisy and Tom come from old money. They were blessed to live off of their fortune rather than work hard for it. This also connects to the idea of being “clean” since they don't have to get themselves dirty like the lower class to obtain what they want. However, because they already have everything their lack of desire is also represented by the color white. To have a desire means something that will motivate you or give you purpose. Their emptiness and lack of desire is shown through the color white since white is seen as colorless and plain. This color is important to the novel because it helps us understand the social class of the characters. It also gives us an insight on the character's personality and characteristics associated with the color itself.
I agree with your analysis about the color white meaning cleanliness. They dont have to break a sweat to get what they want because they can afford it. I really liked your story aswell.
DeleteI agree with Chelsea's analysis since it helps portray the idea of how plain and simple the color white is, due to the lack of desire and motif. People within the white sector have inherited their wealth, which leaves them little room to grow and develop themselves as they have nothing to rely on that proves their hard work.
DeleteI agree with you Chelsea, the color white is associated with tom and daisy because they are old money meaning that everything is done for them and they don't have to get themselves dirty to get things, allowing for them to wear this color. it also gives them a lack of desire due to being born with money. I really like how in your story you make it very obvious that the color white it's self and being able to wear white is a luxury and not everyone is quite fit to wear it.
DeleteI agree with your analysis because white being “plain” and “colorless” really helps illustrate the idea of no desire because it’s so plain.
DeleteColor: White/ Black
ReplyDeletePoem/Story:
Everything around her is turning dark.
She refuses to acknowledge it.
Her husband has an affair publicly
She wishes her daughter was a “beautiful little fool”.
She is “fine”. Her husband is “fine”. Her daughter is “fine”.
Her life is “fine”.
She hides behind the stereotypes of her wealth.
Her life is empty and sits in a black room.
She holds empty conversations.
Her laughter is empty.
She hides behind a white wall.
The world sees no stains from afar.
They only notice white.
East Egg White
Quote(s):
“The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house.(8)”
“They were both in white, and tier dresses were rippling and fluttering as if they had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.(8)”
Discuss:
In the book white symbolizes the people at east egg. People who live at east egg come from old money. They marry within their social class. Daisy and Tom married each other because of their wealth. There doesn't seem to be much love but there is a sense of respect that Tom has for Daisy. Tom has a public affair that Daisy knows about yet she doesnt divorce him or anything but instead pretends everything is fine. She hides behind her luxurious mansion and all her money. Yet she is unhappy and bored. She doesn't allow people to see this. Nick goes over and she pretends everything is fine. Jordan is the one to tell Nick about Tom's affair. When Myrtle calls during dinner Daisy doesn't allow him to pick up and when they return to the table they act as if nothing unusual is happening.
I really like how she interpreted the color white and black, she well describes Daisy's life and emotions. I agree with everything she says, how Daisy lives by the stereotyped "old wealth" woman, yet she's not oblivious to her circumstances and what's really going on- meanwhile she continues to live by the stereotype, still unhappy. Daisy recognizes what's wrong with her life, but doesn't change it.
DeleteI really liked your use of repetition to emphasize the idea that in reality daisy is miserable with her life but chooses to hide behind her wealth. This just goes to show that no matter how much money you got it will never buy happiness. This is clearly shown through tom & daisy's relationship.
DeleteA) Color: White
ReplyDeleteB) Story: He had nothing and left so hopeless. He had been treated like he was nothing, he lost all faith that he could be more. His face is full of sadness, yet so blank. Always tried filling a void with meaningless fillers. Given up; he had no desire to prove otherwise. It was as if his fate was already set out in stone before him. He just accepted this was going to be his life.
C) Quote: "…as cool as their white dresses in the absence of all desire"(12) and "I've been lying on that sofa for as long as I can remember"(10)
D) Analysis: The color white symbolizes old money wealth and having no desire. The importance of the color in the novel, although yes it shows the money those of the East Egg come from, it more importantly focuses on the loss in motivation, not moving forward and having no desire. The color to me represents Daisy most, she could have any materialistic advantage in the world but she's terribly unhappy. It goes beyond the fact that she's done and seen everything; she's in an unhappy marriage and has been put in a specific role in life. Her husband, Tom has a mistress and she's expected to just be oblivious and let it be. She has no drive to pursue anything better for herself that makes her genuinely happy. Her life is set a certain way and she follows it.
I really liked the way she describes the symbolism of white in her story. I also feel that white seems to resonate the most with Daisy.
DeleteI really liked how you stated that Daisy is unhappy in her marriage, yet has pretty much everything else. Some people think that money can buy them happiness, but that's obviously not the case for Daisy. I also think it's interesting how you said that Daisy's llife is set up a certain way. Maybe this has to do with something to do with her social class , or maybe just the time period.
DeleteI liked how the story represents someone who has so much but is also filled with emptiness. That there’s nothing else going for them and they are stuck where they are with no actual goals. Further, no matter how hard they try to fill the emptiness nothing ever works because it’s difficult when you’re apathetic like Tom and when you’re blank like Daisy.
DeleteA) Color: Cream
ReplyDeleteB) Story: She felt like Cinderella when she met that man since everything she wore was a disguise. She exploited guys as her personal wallet as a facade to hide the unpleasant truth. She didn't mind where the money came from as long as it was in her precious hands. She wore the lovely cream dream dress every night, which was never completely white. The cream clothing served as a reminder of where she came from. No matter how hard she tried, she could never find a white dress. She'd always felt like she was supposed to be wealthy, but she'd never been born into the luxury of having it. So now she goes out in search of men and takes their money till they can't give her any more.
C) Quote: “With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change.” and “Attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon…her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment” (Fitzgerald 30)
D) Analysis: Since cream is so similar to white, it serves as a camouflage. Cream, but at the other hand, isn't white and never could be. Myrtle ultimately put on the color cream as if she had money as she shifted from dress to dress. White denotes luxury and upper class. Myrtle, on the other hand, is a working-class woman who could never be considered upper-class. When she's with Tom, she acts as if she has a lot of money and tries to be sophisticated, but she's never had the privilege of enjoying old money. Myrtle is an imposter and no matter how hard she tries, she could never fit in with the upper class no matter how hard she pretends . Cream could also signify a desire to improve oneself financially.
I like how you said cream is like camouflage. It may seem like it passes off as white but in reality it isn't. The way you described Myrtle is very good. She really is like an imposter who's just trying to pass off as others but will eventually get caught. I agree that cream can represent a desire to improve oneself financially.
DeleteI agree with your analysis because cream is an off white which means it’s not the real white. This resonates with Myrtle because she will never be who she wants to be, just the fake version.
DeleteColor: White
ReplyDeletePoem:
The curtains
The kitchen counter
The dining table
The maid uniforms
Even the Porsche in the driveway
Was white
But that house?
Cream couch
Cream sheets
Cream paint
And cream masks
The difference?
Real and fake.
Quote:
“The only completely stationary object in the room was an enormous couch on which two young women were buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon” (pg 8).
“The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house”(pg 8).
Analysis: The color white in the Great Gatsby symbolizes no desire and old money. People who come from old money don’t need to work for anything in their lives so they have no motivation. This leads to no desire in life because they already have everything they need-money. The color white is important in the novel because it helps differentiate between people who have no desire and people who do have desire, something to work for. It also helps the reader characterize and understand each person in the story.
I agree with your analysis about the symbolism of the color white. It's true that those who come from old money often have no desire which is why they have no motivation. As oppose to someone who strives to be something bigger because they weren't blessed with a wealthy life.
DeleteA. Green
ReplyDeleteB. As the guests filed in, the gossiping voices swerved around the room like snakes looking for its prey.
C. “…he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward — and distinguished nothing except a single green light…” (pdf page 19)
D. In The Great Gatsby, I interpret the color green to symbolize wealth, gossip/rumors and hopes. Green itself is the color of money, which our main characters have quite a lot of. Green can also be the color of hopes and dreams. At the end of chapter 1, Gatsby stands on the dock and reaches toward a green light on the opposite side. Maybe this light represents the hopes and dreams he has yet to attain, and that money may not be able to buy. As per recent readings, we have seen the enormous party at Gatsby’s house. At the party, people gossip and spread rumors behind Gatsby’s back. This reminds me of serpent-like behavior in individuals who spread potential lies, and are yearning for their rumors to be confirmed.
I agree with you that green symbolizes wealth, gossip, rumors and hope. I like how you say the green light represents not only money but dreams Gatsby wishes to attain and that those things cannot be bought with money.
DeleteThe imagery you made in this sentence is very good. The simile used makes the imagery more visualizing. I like the analysis as it also correlates to the imagery in a way.
DeleteI agree with you Anastasia, the color green in the book does symbolize wealth and hopes. green is the color of money which most of the character seem to have but some value it at different levels. to tom and daisy, it gives then lack of desire and for Gatsby it gives him hope and desire, he's still hanging on to something.
DeleteI agree that the color green is the
Deletecolor of hope and that Gatsby
represents the color green perfectly.
It's shown that Gatsby throws these
parties but it's obvious that's he's
hoping for something and someone.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteColor- Creme
ReplyDeleteImagery- She stands in her cream colored dress next to the bride in her stunning white dress, wondering when it will be her turn.
Quote- “Mrs. Wilson has changed her costume some time before, and was not attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon… With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change” (30)
Analysis- Cream is a very similar color to white but isn’t exactly it. It can be seen as a dirty version of white. In the novel, old money is seen wearing white and being surrounded by white furniture because they can afford to have white and be “dirty”. Mrs Wilson changes into a cream colored dress after leaving Valley of Ashes and coming to her apartment in New York. This is significant because it shows how she is trying to be something she is not. Her wearing a cream colored dress shows how she is just a “rip-off” version of old money and will never be in the same seat as them, the same seat as Daisy. Myrtle can dress and act differently but her social class and the way she gets respected will stay the same.
Color - White
ReplyDeleteClear as light
Shining through the night
But empty inside
The color of luxury
That makes you commit adultery
Shiny palaces that seem magical
But living is tragical
When you have nothing to acquire
You live with no desire
"Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water"(5).
"They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering"(8).
In "The Great Gatsby", white represents wealth and a lack of desire. Everything in the East Egg is white and luxurious. This is because the East Egg inhabitants all come from old money. Old money is when money in inherited to different generations. Being born into enormous wealth also comes with the lack of desire. There is a lack of ambition to do anything. This color is important because characters like Tom Buchanan, Daisy, and Jordon, all utilize white because they always had money. They can be seen having no desires in life and just living in luxury.
The poem is amazing. I like the rhymes and I am able to understand the meaning that the poem is trying to convey. The poem is nice and simply and flows smoothly throughout. I also agree with the analysis.
DeleteI like your poem, you clearly explain the symbolism behind the color white. I agree with your analysis but I’m curious on why you say being born into old money comes with lack of desire? I feel like at one point they did have desire but overtime it faded.
DeleteColor: White
ReplyDeleteStory: Lily bought items for her house: white curtains to go with her white marble floors; white lamps to go with her white countertops; and white pillows and blankets to go with her white couch. As she was telling the butler to put everything in place, she was walking around with her white Natalya silk pajamas and her white silk eye mask dangling around her neck, alongside her crystal necklace. Afterwards, she began to walk gracefully to the balcony doors, opening them allowing for the wind to blow against her sleek hair. A dove named Cleany was lying still on the porch.
Quotes: “as cool as their white dresses in the absence of all desire” (12)
"They were both in white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering"(8).
The color white symbolizes wealth and a sense of cleanliness. This color reveals that those who live in the East Egg are not as privileged and don't wear the color white. Also, signifies wealth since they don’t need to lift a finger, they don’t get dirty or need to get dirty. Moreover, the color “white” represents old money otherwise known as inherited wealth, this connects with having no desire or purpose since they already have enough money. They are very wealthy so they don't have the drive to do something with their life, and just stay in their luxurious homes. This contrasts with people from the East Egg who don't have old money (generational money) , have purpose, and are trying to make it. For instance, Daisy and Tom have old money, top status, and lots of privilege, thus lack motivation and their conversations are plain and boring. - Briana Dubon
I agree with the analysis of the color white. The white indicates new money with wealth, which gives those people plain or boring lives. The people with new money lack desire and have a sense of an abundant amount of wealth and cleanliness. I also agree with your explanation that they don’t have to do anything because of their status.
DeleteColor: Cream
ReplyDeletePoem:
Let me be,
Let me live in my illusion.
Here I am at peace,
no one is within my reach,
Well for the moment at least.
My gowns, my jewelry, my cars,
All under my name.
I shall take no judgment,
No one should live with such torment.
Now, I will enter my luscious dream,
Not those of white, but those of Cream.
Quote:
“It’s pretty, isn’t it, old sport?” He jumped off to give me a better view. 'Haven’t you ever seen it before?' I’d seen it. Everybody had seen it. It was a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes and supper-boxes and toolboxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of wind-shields that mirrored a dozen suns. Sitting down behind many layers of glass in a sort of green leather conservatory, we started to town" (68)
Analysis:
Within the novel we had been able to understand the underlying symbolism each color obtains. In this scenario, cream is shown to connect with items that are similar to those of pure wealth, but not directly connected. White itself carries immense value, as it portrays the east egg, which is filled with citizens who have inherited belongings and pure riches. On the contrary, people with cream colored items share a desire to be an east egg citizen, as they choose items that are similar to the white shade. Moreover, Gatsby is seen to have both colors of cream and green in his vehicle, and in relation to his position, the colors demonstrate the false appearance he upholds to appear elegant, and green shows his desire to be a part of the highest upper class. Cream is the closest color to be related with white, which at first may fool/please the eye, until you uncover its layers and realize the lies hidden beneath.
I agree with your analysis of the color cream in the story. I also noticed how cream is connected to items similar to those of old money people. Cream is used by new money people to emulate the white from old money people.
DeleteI love your poem about the color cream "Let me live my illusion", it correlates to the great Gatsby. I agree with your analysis about cream being a disguise. For example Myrtle (cream dress) is living this illusion of being rich when she is with Tom. However in actual reality she could never actually be rich, she is not educated enough and has been stuck in the Valley of Ashes for years. Another example could be Gatsby (cream car) he has all this wealth but why is he showing it off so much? He's trying to show off his money to Daisy and we now realize it so he has been throwing parties just to catch her attention for years but didn't succeed. Cream covers the true identity behind the person
DeleteColor: White
ReplyDeleteImagery: When the guests in white filled the room, the angelic shine reflected off their silky, smooth fabric, illuminating the area. It was very much blinding, but you couldn't resist looking at such a alluring view.
Quote: "...that was as cool as their white dresses and their impersonal eyes in the absence of all desire."
Analysis: The color white symbolizes wealth and a sense of entitlement over others. People of wealth use the color white for a lot of reasons. In this case, their houses and their clothing. This is due to the fact that they wouldn't be able to get their white colored clothing dirty as they don't need to work and instead, simply relax and do the easy things in life. That's why the poorer people in the story don't wear white clothing as it would easily and quickly get dirty since they would have to work all day. The importance of this color in the novel is that it tells us that those associating with the color white are mainly old money or people who got their wealth through inheritance and older generations. Being born with a silver spoon is a double edge sword. Sure you are rich, but that leads to having zero drive, motivation, and desire to do anything in life making everything unamusing and boring.
I really like the imagery you portrayed using the color white. The adjectives you used like "angelic" really gives me the image of the color. Your analysis of why rich people use the color white is really detailed.
DeleteA. Cream
ReplyDeleteB. I was walking through a not so wealthy neighborhood and I seen a cream color car drive by and the man driving the car looked like he was wearing a cream color suit.
C. "He saw me looking with admiration at his car... It was a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with with a labyrinth of wind-shields that mirrored a dozen suns." (64).
D. In the novel, the color cream represents something that you'll never really have. As we know, white is the best tier and has the highest wealth and cream is like a dirtier version of white so this can help show that as much as you want to try to be very wealthy it will never really happen. In the terms of this quote, his cream color car represents his desire to be elegant but in reality he desires and wishes to be something bigger than himself.
color : Cream
ReplyDeleteImagery/ story : The girl stared at her cream colored house in content, happy about her choice. That feeling didn’t last long when a house across the street caught her eye. The house was an enviable shade of white. It shined and glittered in the sunlight and it garnered attention from even the richest of residents. Now all the girl feels in her heart is longing.
Quote : “…was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room. With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change. ”
Analysis : Mrytle always felt like she was meant for more. When she married wilson she thought she would get everything she wished for. What mrytle wished for wasn’t love or affection from a doting husband. She wanted money and recognition. The cream colored dress tells us that mrytle wants not only to have access to the money, but that she wants to wear the money and have it adorn her body. The money should be an accessory she wears. What mrytle fails to realize is that she will never have that. No matter how hard she tries the closest she can get to that idealized life is by a cream colored dress.
I agree because it is true that Myrtle wants to fit in and get recognition with the rich. Therefore, the cream is the closest to white but not white completely. I agree that she doesn’t realize that during her relationship.
DeleteYour story clearly explains the connection between the color cream and Myrtle. I agree that Myrtle felt like she deserved more. When speaking about Wilson at the party she explains how she was content at first until she found out about the suit and later saw Toms suit.
DeleteI love the imagery you used in your story and I agree with your analysis. I feel like Myrtle uses Tom's social status and views it as her own.
Delete- Leila Dacic
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteColor: Gold
ReplyDelete———————————————
Imagery written response
Never have I dreamt of the opulence of wealth’s golden clasp nor the nobilities of what life has searched for me to palate and relish. I splurge life’s coinage on the priceless scent of summer rain and the crispness of fall woodlands. The world's awe-inspiring expanses, the seemingly endless horizons. The calm and supple years that once galvanized my heart’s inner tranquility.
————————————————
References
“The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold and wide open to the warm windy afternoon, and Tom Buchanan in riding clothes was standing with his legs apart on the front porch." (page 6)
"On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold.” (Page 79)
————————————————
Analysis
The color gold represents moral depravity between socioeconomic classes, a weapon that is manifested as a result of a person's desires rather than a necessity. And it is this idea, combined with one's selfishness, that leads to pain. Gold may either be pure and turn you into a bad person, or it can be filthy and still turn you into a nasty person even though your intentions may be pure.
I really liked the Imagery you used and your analysis was super good I liked the word choice. I agree with your analysis as well.
DeleteI like that you went out of the ordinary color options and went with gold. I also like your analysis. The imagery you use also helped understand why you used the color gold.
DeleteColor: Green
ReplyDeletePoem:
That individual is as wanting as can be
What is it that they see?
It is their heart that wants to be seen
As they look in between, part of the routine
Their desires come to the scene
Oh how it is to see the color green
Quote: “he stretched out his arm toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward-and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been at the end of a dock.” (25)
Analysis: The color green is associated with what Gatsby wants. Since Gatsby is reaching out it seems like he wants something and is anxious about it. Green may symbolize desire. Gatsby seems to desire since he is new money like Nick. It could connect to the way he is trying to impress everyone with his wealth, for money is green to get what he wants.
I love how your poem rhymes and goes great with the color of green "Their desires come to the scene/Oh how it is to see the color green" I agree that green represents desires and in the ending of chapter 1 we see that Gatsby is reaching out to a green light. He wanted something on the other side of the bay. In which we now realize is Daisy. His sole purpose was to pursue Daisy. Buying the mansion, throwing parties and showing off his money were all for Daisy and he has been watching her from the bay for years.
DeleteYour poem was very descriptive and it sounds really good. I agree with your analysis and what the color green resembles in The Great Gatsby. You had a very fine way of interpreting and explaining what green represents.
Delete- Leila Dacic
Color: Cream
ReplyDeletePoem:
Hope
You put on that cream dress
Or get in that cream car
Hoping that you could be like the people that wear the white dresses
And drive the white cars
Wishing
You wish that you could experience the life of old money
You wish you can get the person you desire
Even if you magically receive what you wish for
You’ll never be like the the people that wear the white dresses and drive the white cars
A wish could only get you so far
Placing you back in that cream dress and that cream car
With only one thing left
Hope
Quotes:
“Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before, as was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon…With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change.” (30)
“It was a rich cream color” (64)
Analysis: Cream symbolizes the hope to be something that you could possibly never be. In my poem when discussing the dresses and money I was referring to Myrtle. Myrtle wants to live the lifestyle of generational wealth. That’s only something she could wish or hope for. When saying you may magically receive that wish but a wish could get you so far, I was referring to her affair with Tom. Tom allowed her to have that wish of money and living a lavish lifestyle but it’s to an extent due to the fact that Tom won’t leave Daisy. Even if for some reason he does, he will never go for someone like Myrtle. When talking about cars and getting the person you desire, I was referring to Gatsby. As of right now Gatsby has hope that displaying his money will get Daisy to notice him again. He will never be Tom the person she married but he has hope that they will reconnect and past feelings will resurface. Cream will never be white, just like Myrtle and Gatsby will never fully have what they hope and wish for.
Color: White
ReplyDeletePoem: their house white like doves from top to bottom, white seems like hope, desire, dreams, when it’s not at all.
White had hope, until it had nothing at all, now it lacks what it once had.
surrounding them it shows how they have everything but that’s not what they feel, because in reality they have a shortage of want.
Open your eyes and see that, that's all they really want.
Quote: “as cool as their white dresses in the absence of all desire” (12)
Analysis: white in the book is used to describe the rich characters specifically the old money characters like, daisy and tom. In the great Gatsby white symbolizes wealth, status and lack of desire. Since Tom and Daisy come from old money, they can do whatever they want whenever they want because of their wealth. With that, Tom and Daisy lack desire and motivation for anything due to the fact that they have experienced it all. They are able to wear white and not get it dirty unlike other people (the lower class) because they have to do absolutely nothing and not get dirty allowing them to keep it so clean. This color is important to the novel because it describes to us and shows us that the color white is associated with tom and daisy indicating that this color belongs to the higher class. It also gives us an understanding of the characters themselves like their personality, their hope/wishes and their meanings.
Your poem was very descriptive and it sounds really good. I agree with your analysis and what the color white resembles in The Great Gatsby.
DeleteColor: Cream
ReplyDeletePoem:
Old money / new money
the value is never lost
but I'd rather have desire
where there is no cost
Truths and Lies
nobody would view you differently
given the truth, or a lie
but many people would despise
after knowing you're under a disguise
Quote:
"Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment, and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her, until she seemed to be revolving on a noisy, creaking pivot through the smoky air." (31).
Analysis:
In The Great Gatsby, the color cream symbolizes someone who pretends to be rich. This is very significant because as we read the book, we notice Myrtle's entire personality changes after she puts on a cream colored afternoon gown. The way she acted was much more obnoxious, she felt powerful and it showed she was confident in it. We know that Myrtle isn't rich, but she's dating Tom Buchanan, a man who is made up of his inheritance and his old money, a man who screams he is ridiculously rich. Her dating Tom may have an influence on her character because she now lives under the thought that since her boyfriend is rich, she's considered the same social class as him.
- Leila Dacic
A) Color: Cream
ReplyDeleteB) Imagery:As Gatsby patiently waits outside with his cream colored Rolls Royce. Daisy walks out with her white dress, forever cementing that his relationship will never be able to last.
C) Quote: Myrtle’s dress in New York: “Mrs.Wilson had changed her costume some time before, and was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room.”
D) Analysis: The color cream is so similar to white, in The Great Gatsby it symbolizes being something you're not and never being able to fit in. It shows that no matter what you wear and how much money you have you wont compare to anyone with old money and your level of class is projected differently. Myrtle ultimately put on the color cream as if she had money as she shifted from dress to dress. White denotes luxury and upper class. Myrtle, on the other hand, is a working-class woman who could never be considered upper-class. When she's with Tom, she acts as if she has a lot of money and tries to be sophisticated, but she's never had the privilege of enjoying old money. She may dress like Daisy or may have money that gave her but she will never be as respected as Daisy and have the same amount of class as Daisy. People that are “cream”will be the same as people that are “white.” Cream could also signify a desire to improve oneself financially.