Symbolism in The Great Gatsby and Digital Story Telling

Symbolism in The Great Gatsby and Digital Story Telling

1. Symbolism

   • The Green Light
     • Symbolizes: Gatsby's dream of a future with Daisy
     • "But I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone - 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. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness." Ch. 1
     • "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." Ch. 9
   • The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg
     • Symbolizes: the eyes of God, staring in judgement of America's moral wasteland
       • "But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg..." Ch. 2
         • "Over the ash heaps the giant eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg kept their vigil..." Ch. 7
           • "Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, which had just emerged, pale and enormous, from the dissolving night. 'God sees everything,' repeated Wilson." Ch. 8
   • The Valley of Ashes (Poverty)
     • Symbolizes: the suffering and decay resulting from greed
     • "This is a valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the form of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air." Ch. 2
     • "The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and when the drawbridge is up to let barges through, the passengers on waiting trains can stare at the dismal scene for as long as half an hour. There is always a halt there of at least a minute and it was because of this that I first met Tom Buchanan's mistress. Ch. 2

2. Digital Story Telling (DST)

   • Digital Video Editing
     • iMovie or Final Cut Pro
       • Uploading images and videos representing modern symbols of love, wealth, and indulgence that mirror those found in The Great Gatsby
       • Uploading modern music with themes that represent those found in The Great Gatsby
       • Create a 3-5 minute video that connects modern symbols of love, wealth, and indulgence with those found in The Great Gatsby.
   • YouTube
     • Uploading and sharing videos on YouTube
       • Knowledge of Settings: 1) Public 2) Unlisted 3) Private