The Great Gatsby Group

Question:

pito156
pito156
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is the importance and symbolism of the clothing Jay Gatsby wears in the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald?

The question would pertain to any clothing Gatsby had in the novel EXCEPT the scene when he shows Nick and Daisy all his shirts.

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Posted by pito156 on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM and tagged with characters, clothing, jay gatsby, symbolism, the great gatsby.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Jay Gatsby wore only the best clothes.  He dressed as an aristocrat of the new money.  His choice of clothing and style of dress was symbolic of the over indulgence of the rich during that time and of the American Dream. The idea that you could become rich, successful and indulgent no matter what you came from.   Jay's reason for the style of dress and the expense of the clothing is to impress Daisy.  Everything he did was to impress and regain the love of Daisy.  His life and dreams centered around his desire and love of Daisy and the clothing is yet another outward expression of that goal.  The self-centered desires of the rich was a central theme of Fitzgerald's stories and novels and "The Great Gatsby" was one of the best of these stories.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/themes

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 6:28 PM


  2. hsengtch Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    Daisy is often dressed in white, to symbolize her innocence/naive nature, possibly purity (childlike qualities).

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    Posted by hsengtch on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 7:11 PM