The Great Gatsby

Color/Symbolism

A brief explanation of the colors and symbolism in The Great Gatsby.

Color/Symbol	Meaning
Myrtle	Shrub that supports life (to indicate vitality)
Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg	Watching over the valley
Grey	lacking life or spirit, dreary/bleak
White	False purity or goodness
Eggs	White on the outside (purity) and yellow inside (rotten)
Daisy	White outside, yellow middle (same as egg), fragile flower = fragile person
Green	To go for, hope of new
Spring	New beginning
Daisy's voice	Greek siren
Owl eyes	Appears to be all-knowing or all-seeing
Cars	Status symbol, also indicates carelessness and recklessness
Summer	Hot = Boiling point of the novel or conflict
Red (Blood)	Death
Yellow (Leaves)	Decay, corruptness
Yellow (Gatsby's car)	Corrupt, dishonesty