Symbolism
Name the symbol
Score: 0/0Gatsby stares across the water at a green light burning on the end of Daisy's dock, night after night.
What does this symbolize?
Symbolism: The use of an object, image or action to represent an idea beyond its literal meaning.
A symbol lets a story carry its themes in physical objects the plot can move around; the meaning accumulates each time the object returns.
Spot the Symbolism
Score: 0/0The use of an object, image or action to represent an idea beyond its literal meaning.
"The green light at the end of Daisy's dock comes to stand for Gatsby's whole unreachable dream."
Which work is this from?
Explore every literary device in the poetic devices hub.
Symbolism: common questions
What is symbolism in literature?
The use of an object, image or action to represent an idea beyond its literal meaning. A symbol lets a story carry its themes in physical objects the plot can move around; the meaning accumulates each time the object returns.
What is an example of symbolism?
A classic example is "The green light at the end of Daisy's dock comes to stand for Gatsby's whole unreachable dream." (The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald).
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