Gatsby Literary Debate

The Green Result

In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the entire story contains one symbolic goal, to win over a woman. While Gatsby worked hard with his goal to win over Daisy, many Americans likewise work for their lives on an overall goal for their life. This idea, all part of the “American dream”, is what many immigrants come to America for. While money was the way to temporarily achieve Gatsby’s goal, Gatsby solved his problems by making the money needed to have another chance at Daisy. Likewise, immigrants often find that if they work hard, they can obtain whatever they need to reach their life goal. Therefore, I agree with Jinzhao Wang that Gatsby’s green light represents hope, and would add that it also represents the end goal in one’s life.

            Most immigrants come to America to achieve something that they couldn’t achieve in their homeland. For Jinzhao Wang, she says that “My green light is Harvard” (Feb 17, 2008). Her goal of a Harvard education would not have been possible in her homeland. Therefore, she made the sacrifice for her goal. She left China, her friends, family, home, and school to achieve her goal. Jinzhao attends school, studies hard, and does her best. All her effort is for one goal, an education from Harvard University. This goal is what has driven, drives, and what will continue to drive Jinzhao for a long time to come. By having a goal, she has created purpose for her efforts, similarly to Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy.

            When Gatsby made the decision that Daisy was the love of his life, his goal was clear. Gatsby needed to do everything possible to win her over. Once Gatsby had made his millions, he came to a large milestone in his pursuit, a green light, which marked Daisy’s dock. This made his goal all the more real to him; his goal of meeting with Daisy actually had a face, a representation. He now could see what he was seeking, and strive towards it. This light means so much to Gatsby that he actually stares at it for inspiration. Nick says of Gatsby, “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, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.” (25-26). In addition, the symbolism of Gatsby’s quest extends to the color of the light. Green is in society the color for go on traffic lights, and symbolizes a kind of inspiration of its own. When one is given a green light, it means to continue on and to keep going, which for Gatsby, was exactly the message he needed. Clearly, Gatsby was inspired, and took his inspiration seriously.

            For many, the story of Gatsby and his pursuit ring true to their own desires. The burning ambition inside to achieve the goal that many American immigrants have set up for their lives leads them on a path of difficulty, hardship, and work. For both Gatsby and immigrants, the aphorism “the ends justify the means” is often their motto. While Gatsby had to partake in the illegal activities involving alcohol in order to make his money, he felt that it was justified, since he was trying to meet a reasonable life goal, which he felt, he couldn’t live without reaching. Likewise, numerous people immigrate illegally into the United States every year, with a goal of a better life. Their green light is America, and while their actions may be against the law, in the end, they feel that the goal of a good life justifies their illegal actions to obtain it. However, their actions are not always successful. Coming to America is a win or lose situation, and sometimes, an immigrant’s goal doesn’t play out. Likewise, for Gatsby, he ended up shot, without Daisy caring; therefore his goal was also not met. Nevertheless, in conclusion, many immigrants are able to identify with Gatsby’s story of hard work to achieve a goal, and that they all have a green light of hope, regardless of whether they reach their goal or not.