The Significance of Gatsby’s Attire in “The Great Gatsby”
The clothing worn by Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” is a crucial symbol that reflects his character, his past, and his aspirations. As a self-made man who rose from poverty to wealth, Gatsby uses clothing as a means of transforming himself and attaining social acceptance. His meticulously tailored suits, crisp white shirts, and gold cufflinks represent his wealth, sophistication, and attention to detail. Furthermore, they highlight his desire to fit in and belong to the upper echelons of society.
Gatsby’s attire also reveals his past and the origins of his wealth. His brightly colored shirts, for instance, are a symbol of his youth and his humble beginnings. They suggest that his wealth and success are a result of his hard work and determination, rather than inherited privilege. Moreover, Gatsby’s clothing choices reflect his romantic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan and his desire to impress her. His pink suit, for instance, is a reflection of Daisy’s personality and embodies his hope of winning her back.
In contrast with Gatsby’s attire, the clothing worn by the old money elite, such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan, is more understated, suggesting their inherited wealth and privilege. Their clothing choices reflect their position of power in society, while Gatsby’s clothing highlights his efforts to climb the social ladder. The tension between old and new money is evident in the differences in their dress, underscoring the complexity of social dynamics in the novel.
The Role of Women’s Fashion in “The Great Gatsby”
Although the novel is predominantly focused on the male characters, women’s fashion plays a significant role in “The Great Gatsby.” The clothing worn by female characters in the novel reflects the changing social norms and the emergence of new forms of femininity in the 1920s. The flapper style, characterized by short haircuts, shorter hemlines, and boyish silhouettes, challenged traditional gender norms and represented a new form of independence and empowerment for women.
Daisy Buchanan, the novel’s female protagonist, embodies the flapper style with her bobbed hair, short dresses, and beaded accessories. Her clothing choices reflect her personality and her desire to rebel against societal expectations of femininity. Furthermore, her clothing serves as a reflection of her social status and privilege. Her opulent dresses and expensive jewelry suggest her wealthy upbringing and her position of power in society.
Myrtle Wilson, on the other hand, represents a different form of femininity in the novel. Her clothing is more revealing and suggestive, reflecting her desire to attract attention and escape the confines of her working-class life. Her clothing choices also highlight the class differences between her and the other characters in the novel, underscoring the importance of class and status in shaping women’s fashion during the time period.
Fashion and Social Critique in “The Great Gatsby”
Fashion in “The Great Gatsby” serves as a powerful form of social critique, highlighting the excesses and superficiality of the Jazz Age society. The opulent clothing worn by the characters in the novel underscores their materialism and their pursuit of wealth and status. Moreover, the novel critiques the shallowness of the upper class through their obsession with fashion and appearance, revealing the hollowness of their lives.
Gatsby’s attire, however, represents a different form of critique. His clothing is a reflection of his desire to fit in and belong to the upper class, underscoring the elusive nature of the American Dream. Furthermore, his clothing choices highlight his attempts to conceal his true identity and his past, revealing the emptiness of the materialistic pursuit of success.
The theme of fashion as social critique is also evident in the contrast between old and new money. The old money elite such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan wear understated clothing that suggests their inherited wealth and privilege. In contrast, the new money characters such as Gatsby wear flashy clothing that highlights their newfound wealth and their efforts to ascend the social ladder. The tension between old and new money is reflective of the novel’s critique of the class system in the United States.
The Symbolism of Color in “The Great Gatsby”
Color symbolism plays a significant role in “The Great Gatsby” and is used to convey deeper meanings and themes throughout the novel. Color is used to represent various aspects of the characters’ personalities, emotions, and experiences, and to reflect the changing moods and tones of the story.
The most prominent example of color symbolism in the novel is the color green, which represents both hope and envy. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s hope for a future with Daisy, while the green color of the light also represents his envy of those who are closer to Daisy. Green is also associated with Gatsby’s wealth, as his mansion is described as “a colossal affair by any standard… with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy,” which gives it a green hue.
Yellow, on the other hand, represents decay, corruption, and greed. The Valley of Ashes, a wasteland between West Egg and New York City, is described as having a “grotesque, fantastic landscape of ashes and smoke,” where everything is covered in a “dust-covered wreck of a farm.” The color yellow is used to describe the “yellow spectacles” of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, which symbolize the loss of spirituality in society.
The color white represents innocence and purity, but it also represents the facade of the upper class. Daisy is often described in white, which represents her innocence and delicate nature, but also represents the facade she puts on to hide her true feelings and actions. The color white is also used to describe the expensive clothing of the upper class, which hides the corruption and greed beneath the surface.