When the reader first reads the passage, he will associate the color green with "the new world" that "had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of human dreams," but after the narrator mentions Gatsby, the reader associates the color green with an "orgastic future." "Gatsby believed in the green light."Fitzgerald means that America-- not to be mistaken with humanity as a whole -- has corrupted the American dream with sex. The world that "flowered once for Dutch sailors' eyes" had now "made way for Gatsby's house."
Fitzgerald also criticizes humanity as a whole, not only America in the last few lines. Humanity believes that "to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther" when really, we are only getting our hopes up for a change. Though humanity lies in desperation for change, we only "beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." No matter how hard we strive for change, the current (people who want to go the other way) will always be stronger.
Overall, Fitzgerald, through his critical tone, tells the reader that we, as Americans and humanity have corrupted the American dream and no matter how hard we try to change that, we will not be able to.
Fitzgerald's view of America is quite depressing. I suppose the silver lining is that we never stop trying: we continue to "beat on." When we lay down our oars, all hope will indeed be lost.
ReplyDelete