Hi readers! Sorry for the late post, I'm home sick today. Here you go:
Brian Sutton argues in his article that light plays a big role in The Great Gatsby. It is both a symbol and a driving force behind Gatsby's dream. Summarize a part of the article that was powerful in one paragraph and then comment on the plausibility of his argument in another. Are you convinced? Why or why not?
Your comment is due by 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Happy reading and writing!
In Brian Sutton's article, "Light", he frequently refers to the many allusions to light and its symbolism in The Great Gatsby. A profound point he makes is when he talks about Gatsby throwing huge, grandiose parties in the hopes of attracting Daisy to one of them. In these parties, he creates lights Sutton describes as "supplements to the sun". Sutton argues that Gatsby is trying to prove he is worthy of Daisy's love by imitating her obvious connection to sunlight with artificial lights. Sutton backs up his argument with direct quotes from the book, which prove that his point is supported by the text. All of this creates a strong, powerful idea that resonates with his conclusion that Gatsby's goal to regain Daisy's love is futile and destined to fail, as he is shown to not really be her equal and can only appear to have everything that she does.
ReplyDeleteSutton's statement is as interesting as it is plausible. He makes direct quotations to the book and provides concise analysis that does not go far beyond what F. Scott Fitzgerald is seeming to imply. As shown in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald is fond of deeper meanings than what can be read at the surface, using metaphors and symbols such as light to encourage the reader to analyze and interpret his text in many ways. If this is the case, then with his own interpretation of the text coupled with evidence, Sutton provides a thoughtful and highly plausible argument. With this said, I personally am convinced by his argument and agree that light is used in this section to portray Gatsby as trying desperately to imitate Daisy, but failing to do so. It is also interesting to point out all his wealth and speedy trip from the lower to high upper class was for Daisy's attention, and this too is Gatsby further trying to prove his worth to her.
In Brian Sutton's analysis of the use of light in The Great Gatsby, he describes how Gatsby's parties seem unnaturally bright, almost more so than the sun. This overreach of natural limits reflects how Gatsby tries to impossibly relive the past and bring back Daisy. People are attracted to them "like moths," but ultimately, this light fades away as the long days of summer turn to the dying light of autumn and winter.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sutton's arguments, especially the lines regarding moths, and find that it is likely that Fitzgerald intended the symbolism. The artificiality of Gatsby's parties embodies the materialism and fake personality he puts on in hopes of attracting Daisy back to him. Additionally, the manner in which his bright lights are put on in order to attract Daisy misguidedly towards him is a perfect metaphor for a moth to a flame, solidifying the symbolism. The unnatural aspect of his luminous extravanganzas one again falls in line with Fitzgerald's message of the fallibility of materialism and its failure to create true happiness through rejection of natural ways. Sutton's third point regarding the fading of summer into autumn and eventually winter ties in well with Gatsby's fading hopes of getting Daisy back and his decline from grace until his untimely death as he tried to squeeze the last dregs of enjoyment out of summer. Not only does this connect to the theme, but also relates to Fitzgerald's life as he slipped into loneliness, poverty, and alcoholism; the autumn of his life and career. In total, Sutton's arguments regarding the symbol of light in The Great Gatsby have definitive basis in the story and message, and although we can never truly know what the author was intending, this analysis can give us a decent idea of what Fitzgerald meant to say.
RANI SHORI-
ReplyDeleteA big idea I got was how Brian Sutton compares light to time. More specifically seasons and how the brighter longer lasting light represents summer and the fading light represents the beginning and end of fall. He even suggests that light can be a metaphor to the life cycle with the bright light representing vitality and the dim light being death. He connects the idea of light as time to Gatsby's courtship of Daisy and how Daisy can possibly represent the sun and Gatsby's bright parties are constantly being diminished by the arrival of the sun which could be a parallel to Gatsby throwing parties but being disappointed when Daisy does not arrive. Sutton's reasoning is plausible because time is connected to light and the time of days during seasons. For instance the story takes place during Summer and when the days are longest is at the peak of Daisy and Gatsby's romantic relationship and when the days get shorter the end of the story is close and dark. Light also controls dark and in certain ways can have more power which also parallels Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby lets the idea of the green light, and what it mean to him, cloud his reasoning. He becomes so obsessed with the idea of Daisy as his partner that he gives a green light on her dock a significant meaning to him just because it is close to her. She controls his emotions and thoughts because he is so invested in her just like light controls dark and parallels even the parties that gatsby throws. I am very convinced that light has a significant meaning to the story because it is involved with all the important events. Even Gatsby in ways can represent the sun because it is so massive and bright and extreme. Also because it annoys people occasionally but we still need it to live and function.
In the article “Light”, Brian Sutton offers his interpretation of the role that light plays in The Great Gatsby. Sutton says that the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy is driven by light. Daisy is like the sun, and Gatsby attempts to win her with his magnificent displays of artificial light, to no avail. Like light, as the seasons change and summer fades away, Gatsby and Daisy's relationship begins to fade away as well. Additionally, the darkness surrounding the light that Gatsby likes to stare at might symbolize his isolation amongst the other rich people. According to Sutton, much like the lack of light that happens with the change in season, Gatsby’s failure to provide Daisy with a source of light that could rival the sun is a symbol of his ultimate downfall.
ReplyDeleteSutton’s argument could very well be plausible, his interpretation is interesting and brings up many interesting ideas, but personally, I’m not really convinced he’s right. Honestly, I think every ounce of potential symbolism and hidden meaning in The Great Gatsby was wrung out about twenty or thirty years ago. I also would like to believe that Fitzgerald didn’t rely on the same old cliche about the seasons changing as heavily as Sutton implies that he did, because they used that exact same cliche in Frankenstein. We get it, leaves dying means death, cold weather means bad things. Instead of putting such a specific spin on what light means in The Great Gatsby, I would be much more content to wrestle with what the light symbolizes with the mindset that it’s ambiguous, and it could mean almost anything. I mean, really, isn’t the ambiguity that Fitzgerald weaves into his work the funnest part of reading it?
According to Brian Sutton, the role of light correlates to Daisy, Gatsby’s dream, and the changing of seasons. Daisy represents the sun, since Fitzgerald conveys her as such through her “radiant” characterization. Daisy is associated with Gatsby and his dream to obtain what Daisy epitomizes. Longingly, Gatsby “stands alone in the darkness” and wants to prove himself worthy of this sunlight. Sutton connects Gatsby’s way of attracting Daisy to attempting to recreate light itself. Gatsby’s display of bright extravagant parties is criticized by Sutton for its artificiality that seem to “overreach the limits imposed by nature.” This “overreach” connects to Gatsby living in the past and futilely dreaming of “regaining Daisy’s love that he had lost almost five years ago.”
ReplyDeleteSutton’s argument is highly plausible, since it helps support the themes of The Great Gatsby. The symbolism of light can be interpreted broadly, but Sutton successfully supports his opinions by providing textual evidence. Truly, Fitzgerald describes Daisy as radiant and Gatsby’s parties (which were practically huge light displays) were intended to attract Daisy and her so-called radiance. Throughout the novel, Daisy is depicted with characteristics, like “glow”, that can be also used to describe the sun. Sutton claims that she represents the sun and he supports this with quotes directly from the novel. He compares Gatsby and Daisy to the darkness and light, in which Gatsby seeks to reach the light but cannot. Similarly Gatsby’s dream was a failure. In attempting to imitate light, Gatsby is trying to become what Daisy is–socially and financially at the top of the societal pyramid. His bright parties reflects his desperateness to get what he can not have. No matter how rich he is, he can never fit in with Daisy and her class. Sutton’s analysis contributes to the corruptness of the American Dream, therefore winning my vote.
In "Light" by Brain Sutton, Sutton analyzes the use of light in The Great Gatsby. He points out that Gatsby's grand parties are exceptionally bright, and that they rival the brightness of the sun during the day. Gatsby is trying to do the impossible and is attempting to overcome the laws of nature, which shows his relentless desire to recapture the essence of his past with Daisy. This goal is seen as impossible though, since the light of summer is slowly fading away to the darkness of autumn/winter. He also mentions that the guests at his party are "like moths attracted to a light".
ReplyDeleteI think Sutton's arguments are valid, and the point on Gatsby attempting to be brighter than the Sun through his lavish parties is very interesting. Gatsby creates these parties to build a "fake image" of himself, which is protected through his wealth and status. Gatsby's desperate attempts to attract Daisy to his parties also reinforce the "moth" symbolism. Gatsby's fake persona fails to obtain him true happiness, and Fitzgerald does a glorius job at capitalizing on it. Sutton's points on the fading of Summer into the darkness of Autumn/Winter also represent Gatsby's dying dream for happiness with Daisy. He denies the failure of his dream until his tragic death by the hands of Mr. Wilson. Sutton's arguments for the use of light in The Great Gatsby are very interesting, and while he doesnt bring every idea possible into his paper, it is a good compilation if different opinions and viewpoints that bring Fitzgerald's writing to life.
In Brian Sutton's argument light plays an essential role in manifesting Gatsby's unattainable dream. In his argument, he defines light, more specifically, sunlight as love. With that said, Daisy represents natural, organic light. This natural light in my interpretation meant to symbolize wealthy elites with a long family history of old wealth. Which in turn is "natural", whereas individuals who work their way up the social pyramid are "unnatural", artificial light. Gatsby works so hard to rekindle their relationship, by presenting lavish parties with all sorts or lovely lights in attempts to show Daisy that he is worthy of her. Despite his efforts, his artificial lights will never be able to truly mimic the splendor natural lights.
ReplyDeleteOverall, this argument has shown great points and really opened my eyes, for I haven't thought vaguely about this idea. The contrast between natural and artificial lights clearly parallels with the distinct line between older elites and new elites, East and West Eggers. Daisy didn't want to put her status down, just to be with Gatsby. Despite how rich and lavish Gatsby is. After all, he is "artificial", the word artificial can have negative connotations within. Artificial being fake, and undesirable, especially comparing to sunlight in this case. In terms of plausibility, I'm convinced. He used evidence from the story to back up his claims, further strengthening his claim.
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ReplyDeleteThroughout the beginning of Sutton'a article, he constantly reiterate the fact that Daisy is Gatsby'a "light" and that Gatsby is in the darkness of the past "reaching longingly toward a green light that he associates with Daisy". Their romantic relationship from start to finish was greatly symbolized with the passage of time and light for example, mentioned several times throughout the article is how when Gatsby is first mentioned to Daisy after their 5 years of separation, it was during the summer when light is always bright and preserved until late. The light is the bright hope at the beginning and as the months pass and autumn quickly approach, their romance and Gatsby's hopes began to wane like the light that was fading so quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe article seems very convincing however some parts seems very far fetched. Although Daisy herself is described as "radiant" and "herself emits light" or how "she glows so brightly that the candles are superfluous" this only shows that the author is putting so much unrealistic emphasis on a character whose supposedly is symbolized by "light" and yet she's morally "dark". The argument that Gatsby is reaching toward the light while he stands in darkness seems very dramatic as stated he throws beautiful and bright parties and he has became successful so although he might be reaching toward a light, it seems as though he himself is not entirely in the dark .
-Kristine Aulachong
In Brian Sutton's analysis in his article "Light", he explains that seasons foreshadow the events of Gatsby's life. As the season starts to transition from summer to fall, we can see that Gatsby's dream is hopeless as the daylight begins to shorten & longer nights begin to arise. Nick states that "the lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun" which portrays Gatsby attempting to overcome this darkness of the night & the shortening of daylight hours. This portrayal gives special importance to the uselessness in Gatsby's dream because his efforts, no matter how hard he tries, can't stop time throughout the changing seasons.
ReplyDeleteI find Sutton's argument true & reasonable because based on his analysis, we can also tie this connection of seasons affecting certain events in the book since we all read "How to Read Literature Like A Professor", which Foster explains how the seasons correlate with circumstances in novels. From this reference, the connection with seasons make a lot more sense, For example, fall represent a downfall/ decrease & summer represents love & passion. Fitzgerald uses the autumn months when Gatsby's dreams are becoming obviously hopeless, when Tom & Gatsby have that huge fight/ confrontation over Daisy, when Gatsby & Myrtle died, etc. All these events represent a decline in the novel that helps foreshadow the character's lives & their current happenings. Sutton also provides great analysis & evidence through quotes that are really convincing, thoughtful, & clear, which gives readers a new insight on how to view the book. In conclusion, from other references, his influential/persuasive analysis, & his comprehensive evidence to support his argument, I am certainly convinced of his claim because gives me a different interpretation of the novel that I never thought of before that is justifiable.
In the article "Light," Brian Sutton describes Gatsby as artificial light and Daisy as actual, radiant, sunlight. He points out the novel compares Gatsby's guests as moths attracted to the artificial light. Gatsby's light is also unnaturally brighter than sun and rivals them, representing his attempts to try and overcome time and repeat the past.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sutton's interpretations and his comparisons of Gatsby as artificial light. Gatsby has a fake personality and appearance that he uses to attract "moths" in the hopes of eventually finding Daisy. Fitzgerald clearly wanted to symbolize how a lot of the people who showed up were mindless and didn't really know what the thing they were attracted to was. The idea of Gatsby being impossible and that his goals are impossible is a fact that appears true because it seems that Gatsby is trying to defy the natural order of the universe. The evidence that Brian presents is that the novel states that Gatsby's light is more powerful than the sun.
In the article, “Light,” Brian Sutton expresses his ideas of the use of “light” within the novel, The Great Gatsby. In one part of the article, Sutton talks about the “daylight hours” and constantly gave a timetable of the type of events happening throughout the book. He states that even though the daylight hours begin to shorten, Gatsby uses his own light to bring hope to his dream. This is shown with evidence that throughout the summer Gatsby pushes closer and closer to Daisy, but as fall came and the days began to shorten, there was less connection between the two, and at the end of it, it was the end of Gatsby’s dreams of having Daisy’s love and the time when his death took place. He concludes that, “ No matter how bright his lights shine, he cannot halt the passage of time…” (Sutton).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sutton’s views and how he interpreted light in this particular section of his article. Fitzgerald is known for his symbols within his work, and it his highly believable that he could have used the seasons and the amount of daylight emitted during those seasons to control the plot of his story. Sutton also proves his claims by pointing out specific dates and months that translates to the actual daylight that is being emitted during the events of the book. For example, he uses the dinner in chapter one as the starting point of summer and describes it as the longest day in the year. The day where there is most light. He also states that three months after that day Gatsby confronts Tom. He then uses Gatsby’s servant and his need to drain the pool to keep the leaves out to depict the start of fall. Through those two points and the relation of the parts between them that showed the fall in Gatsby’s dream, it led me to believe in Sutton’s views. Similarly to Sutton, I believe that although Gatsby tries hard to emit his own light to keep his dream up on two feet, one can only do so much until times catches up and passes.
Kathleen Salvador
ReplyDeleteIn Brian Sutton’s article, “Light”, Sutton relates Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship to light and the changing of the seasons. He explains when the summer solstice, the days of maximum sunlight, are approaching is when Gatsby’s romantic luck will rise. Gatsby wishes to overcome time itself by wishing for summer to never end. When time transitions to early September, now approaching the autumnal equinox, Daisy turns out the light; and her and Gatsby’s romance is now coming to an end. With the conclusion of summer and the beginning of autumn comes the end of Gatsby’s dream and life that “have been extinguished with the dying of summer light” (Sutton).
Overall, I believe Sutton’s argument is reasonable and convincing. His idea of the seasons in relation to foreshadowing what is to come relates to what we have learned in How to Read Literature Like A Professor. This is demonstrated in Sutton’s reasoning of how summer, filled with adulthood and passion, is Gatsby’s high and autumn, filled with tiredness, his low. Also, Sutton’s idea of Daisy’s natural light and how Gatsby has created an artificial light to reach Daisy ties into Fitzgerald’s idea of new money and old money. Sutton’s analysis using traditional literary elements is clearly and thoroughly written in order to bring new perspectives and deeper meanings to Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby.
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ReplyDeleteThroughout Brian Sutton's article " Light," he explains the importance of light in the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. He describes how Daisy is Gatsby's light. Daisy is the goal that Gatsby is striving for. Sutton explains how Jay Gatsby "stands alone in the darkness," and has waited 5 years in the dark to get Daisy to love him again so he can be in the light again. The light is what is keeping Gatsby around. When the summer comes to an end so does Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteSutton's argument does seem to be plausible. As seen today, many people who strive for one thing in life, as Gatsby only strives to win back Daisy's love, they tend to give up everything and loose the light in their eyes if they do not accomplish their goal. With the beginning of the light comes hope and opportunity but eventually the light will fade as it did in the end of The Great Gatsby.
In the excerpt, “Light”, by Brian Sutton, the author constantly refers to the relationship between Gatsby’s & love for Daisy and the destined path of the sun throughout the year, which also means the passage of seasons. The days are long at the height of summer but they inevitably shorten by autumn. Sutton argues that the futility of Gatsby’s quest” is emphasized by the inevitable passage of time and the first meeting of Daisy and Gatsby (after the summer solstice when the days are already beginning to shorten). He goes on to interpret Gatsby’s death as inevitability caused by the shortened days of autumn. He argues his point by stating that the shortened days made it “apparently too dark” for Myrtle to see that Tom wasn’t in the car that killed her. Her death results in the misunderstanding and passion of Mr. Wilson, bringing about the death of Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article, I had made no connections between seasons/sun and the major themes/messages of the novel. I have to agree with Sutton that light and seasons signify the fall of Gatsby because he gives countless pieces of evidence and seasons and light are very common devices that authors use to convey theme. In fact, in How to Read Literature Like a Professor, there is a whole chapter about seasons that correlates with Suttons arguments and his evidence. The Great Gatsby follows the ideas in that chapter almost exactly: spring signifies birth, summer means the height of life or climax, autumn symbolizes the demise, and winter the death. Although I agree with Sutton’s claims, I wish he would’ve gone deeper than just the simple parallel between the theme and light and actually explored the nuances and complexities that humanity creates for The Great Gatsby. I believe that Fitzgerald was a more thoughtful and creative writer who wanted his novels to be more enigmatic and complex than be easily defined by one common symbol.
In the article by Brian Sutton, "Light", he explains how F. scott fitzgerald tries to demonstrate that Gatsby is worth of having daisy in a relationship due to his efforts to attract her. Brian uses "Light" to symbolize daisy and Gatsby's goals in order to have them both. Brian explains or expresses Gatsby as a person who can't live without light when he states, that Gatsby is standing alone in the dark but has daisy to sort of boost up his feelings as to achieve in what he believes
ReplyDeleteone important part about the article was that gatsbys dream and life extinguished with the dying summer light, and before Daisy symbolize light, so the light at the end of the deck that Gatsby was staring at was his way of thinking that his goal is soo close but in reality there is no hope for those goals to be able to achieve , and Gatsby now just dies without finishing his goals since daisy is no longer a chance for gatsby
In the article "Light," Brian Sutton makes numerous claims, that could potentially be correct, about the connection between Jay Gatsby's relationship with Daisy and the usage of light throughout the book "The Great Gatsby." Sutton goes on to say that Daisy is represented by sunlight, and that Gatsby himself is represented as artificial lighting. One specific point made by the author is that the scene where Gatsby is standing in the dark reaching toward the green light (which represents Daisy and east egg is meant to show the absolute impossibility of Gatsby reaching his goal and getting what he wants.
ReplyDeleteThe claims presented in the article are reasonable, but rely on a great deal of assumption. To suggest that every single mention of the sun (a common object and concept in both real life and literature), the time of day, artificial lights, and even candles relate to the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy is a bit far fetched. At one point in the book, Daisy relates Nick to a rose. Are we also to believe that every mention of plants, flowers, leaves, or anything else even remotely similar to a rose relates to Nick and tells something about his life? I would love to know if the author ever gave any commentary on whether or not he intended everything that Sutton says he did, but I don't think that it's a necessarily plausible conclusion to come to.
In Sutton’s article “Light” Sutton talks about how Daisy associates her affections for Gatsby with sunlight, he mentions that “Daisy’s radiance on the porch results from her recalling past feelings for Gatsby and realizing that he once again lives close by”(Sutton). He also raises the point that when Daisy talks about the summer solstice she emits light because she looks at others radiantly. Sutton also mentions that Gatsby must make himself glorious like the sun in order to attract someone strongly associated with the sun. Sutton also discusses seasons and how Gatsby’s death marks the transition from Summer to Fall and how the dream that Gatsby had is now gone just like the summer light.
ReplyDeleteSutton raises some good points about light in his article but I am not entirely convinced mainly because a lot of his arguments seem to be just jumping on any mention of light and making an explanation he mentions the scene where Daisy puts out the two candles but does not explain why it is significant to his argument. He makes random observations about Daisy being worried about Gatsby that don’t relate to the argument about light, however there are a lot of good points made as well like Myrtle being killed at twilight and Daisy came to the window to see Gatsby and turned out to the light. Brian Sutton has plenty of good points in his article but too many of his claims feel far fetched and reaching for me to be convinced by his argument.
Evan Klang
In Brian Sutton's article, "Light" he explores how the role of light relates to The Great Gatsby, how the changes in seasons relate to what is going to happen in Gatsby's life. As the seasons change form summer to fall, it foreshadows the unsuccessful attempt of Gatsby to fall back in love with Daisy, and also anticipates his death. As Sutton stated "Gatsby's dream and Gatsby's life have been extinguished with the dying of the summer light" This quote from the essay basically states that when the light runs out from the season of summer, Gatsby's life runs out.
ReplyDeleteI find Sutton's argument as true and convincing because his analysis of the seasons changing. It is also prevalent in "How to Read Literature Life A Professor. " It shows the use of the seasons and how it can affect the setting, conflict and plot. It shows that summer is bright and sunny. Where as fall and autumn is dark and a "cooling twilight" as F.Scott Fitzgerald put it. I also thought that it was very interesting to read how Sutton claims that Gatsby is artificial light and how the people who attended his parties were like moths to a light. It gives us a new outlook on the works of the book which was very interesting.
In the article, "light", Brian Sutton argues that light or to be specific, lack of light, causes Gatsby's death. Sutton explains how in The Great Gatsby, by F.Scott Fitzgerald, Daisy drives "through the cooling Twilight", and Myrtle runs onto the street, because she thinks she sees Tom's car. Since it is dark, Daisy is unable to see Myrtle ahead of time and ends up killing Myrtle as the car crashes into her body. The next day, Wilson shoots Gatsby, believing he is the cause of Myrtle's death.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sutton's interpretation of the key role light plays in the novel, because the amount of light or darkness in a chapter often portrays the negative or positive state of the novel at that point. In this scene, light definitely plays a huge role in the continuation of the plot. All the events in this scene are part of a chain reaction, in which the lack of light is the root cause and Gatsby's death is the final result. To reiterate, it all began with the portentous darkness, which symbolizes loss of hope and allows reader to foreshadow a a disastrous outcome, which is Gatsby's death. In this scene, summer is almost over and summer represents light so it only makes sense that such an event takes place when the light is or is almost extinguished, along with Gatsby's life. Additionally, Gatsby's whole life revolved around his dreams and hopes to re-live the past in his near future. That is his light and this light shines the greatest in the summer of 1922. Furthermore, the end of the summer represents the end of the light, which symbolizes Gatsby's fading dreams, which die along with him as the light fades away, replaced by darkness. To sum it up, I agree with Brian Sutton, because in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, whenever there is light, positive events take place, while darkness only brings macabre occurances.
In the “Light” an article by Brian Sutton, discuss the symbolism of light in Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby.” Sutton writes that Gatsby, himself uses lights to attract people which is like moths to a light. Gatsby does this to get Daisy's attention. But once he meets Daisy, the light of the day is shorten because of the seasons changing, foreshadowing that the light of Gatsby’s life, Daisy is slowly fading out of his grasp. After reading this article I am convinced, that the symbolism of the light plays a major part in the novel. Sutton uses detailed textual evidence from the novel to support his claim. He states the use of light to attract Daisy, and the meaning of light in Gatsby’s eyes. In contrast to the light, Sutton not only uses light but uses darkness to foreshadow events in the novel.
ReplyDeleteBrian Sutton, author of the article "Light", argues that F. Scott Fitzgerald used light as a powerful motif that symbolized not only Gatsby's dream, but also Daisy Buchanan and the changing seasons. Sutton makes the connection that Daisy is the "sun" Gatsby strives to attract with his "dazzling display of artificial light". When they meet for the first time in almost five years, it is already well past the beginning of summer (late July or early August). Even though it's still summer when they meet, Fitzgerald foreshadows that it's pointless for Gatsby to even try to win Daisy back: Gatsby's affair with Daisy only takes place for roughly a month or two before Tom confronts him right before the autumnal equinox. Sutton supports this claim when he states, " No matter how brightly his lights shine, he cannot halt the passage of time as embodied in the changing seasons". While summer symbolizes passion and youth, autumn/winter symbolizes death, darkness, and/or suffering.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Sutton's arguments are plausible, since they connect to the possible themes of The Great Gatsby. One theme in particular that stood out to me was that people shouldn't get too caught up in the past, or else it'll slowly consume them, and by the time they realize what's happening, it will be too late. In Gatsby's case, "too late" refers to him dying without completing his hopeless dream of being with Daisy. He deliberately befriends Nick, Daisy's cousin, in hopes that Nick will bring Daisy along to one of his parties, allowing her and Gatsby to reconcile and possibly see if they still had feelings for one another. However, the summer equinox ends before Gatsby and Daisy can be reintroduced - the amount of daylight hours is starting to increase, thus revealing to the readers that Gatsby's efforts will only be in vain. Both light and the changing seasons can be used to describe the events leading up to Gatsby's death; Gatsby and Daisy are driving back to Long Island "through the cooling twilight", which implies that it's no longer light outside, or it's starting to get dark and chilly. Daisy accidentally hits Myrtle, Tom's lover, due to the darkness, and Myrtle's death, which occurs at night, is a catalyst to Gatsby's death. Only prior to his life ending at the merciless hands of George Wilson does Gatsby begin to realize that the seasons are passing by, much like his chance to be with Daisy did so long ago. Therefore, I agree with Sutton's analysis because it also contributes to other possible themes, including how the American Dream is unattainable no matter how hard one tries to reach it.
In Brian Suttons article, "light" he believes, that Fitzgerald associates Gatsby's affection for Daisy, with sunlight. Sutton claims that the affection they have towards eachother is symbolized by light. He claims that the candles, are strategically there for a bigger purpose, and that the green light shoes that Daisy, is Gatsby's, "go" as a potential lover. Sutton believes that because Daisy is in east egg sh me is the sun, and Gatsby is darkeness. Throughout the beginning of the first two paragraphs, we see that Sutton believes that light, represents the love.
ReplyDeleteI believe he could possibly be correct. We learn about the green light, in the beginning of the book, when Gatsby is still longing for Daisy, while later we Learn that the light has been turned off. Also, whole Gatsby waits for Daisy in the front of the house on the day of Myrtle death, Nick says that he stands there waiting for nothing, in the moonlight. The light there could be representing his love, and how much he cares about Daisy, to wait outside her door just in case something potentially happened. I also think it is valid that light represents their love because I think that the candle lights she has put out, in the tme of her learning about Gatsby, is like her turning off her hidden feelings for him, and then talking about summer and the maximum light it will emit, shows her no longer closing her feelings into candle lights but expressing it on a broader spectrum. Like the sun. I also think that is is plausible that Daisy represents the sun. People alays see her as like a flirtatious, like fiery, yet beautiful, and radiant like the sun. We also swe when Gatsby throws his parties it's always filled with light and brightness in the night, and it was Gatsby's way of getting to Daisy, and so the very bright parties in the darkness of the night could represent Gatsby hope in times of hopelessness in his search for finally getting Daisy. Overall I think it is very plausible that the light represents their Gatsby and Daisy's love.
Ohh and its Princess. And I'm late bc Iwas absent. Sorry!
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DeleteBrian Sutton goes into great depth in his article “Light,” explaining the symbolism and influence that light carries throughout The Great Gatsby. He argues that Gatsby’s dream of reconnecting with Daisy after five years is over before it starts, and that we can track the strength of Gatsby’s romance by the passing of the seasons because of the amount of daylight. Sutton also likens Gatsby’s parties, with their bright lights, to his futile attempts to stop or turn back time. According to Sutton, Gatsby tries to keep the light – something he associates with Daisy – exactly the same for as long as possible, fighting the night as summer wears on and the days shorten. Similarly, Gatsby wishes to “stop time,” denying the fact that it is too late for him to be with Daisy again.
ReplyDeleteThe analysis used in “Light” is convincing and plausible because it meshes perfectly with the overarching themes of the novel. F. Scott Fitzgerald makes it quite clear that Gatsby is a man hopelessly stuck in the past, trying to return to an impossible situation. However, the tone is so hopeful in the first few chapters that it does seem that Gatsby has a chance of winning Daisy over. Therefore, Sutton’s interpretation of the symbolism of light gives an additional clue to the progression of events. It is possible to see how closely Gatsby and Daisy’s affair mirrors the seasons, so it seems unlikely that this is simply a coincidence. Particularly intriguing is the notion that the amount of daylight gives a hint about Gatsby’s failure before he is even aware of it himself. However, Gatsby sees Daisy as so bright that he is blinded by his own dream and compelled to continue making his own light, bending the very rules of nature, just as he tries to manipulate time and Daisy’s emotions. Sutton essentially summarizes all of the main points of the story and ties them into one symbol, which is perhaps a bit simplistic. However, it is a convincing symbol because it fits every idea and does not stray from the evidence of the text.