Symbolism in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" there are many patterns of symbolism carried throughout the novel. Amidst the childish love story between Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby--the lovers who could never be--there is a far deeper meaning brought to it. For instance, a billboard could just be a billboard, but the eyes of T.J. Eckleburg are deeper, as for the simple green light of in the distance, more than just a nautical beacon. …

…over Daisy with the green light and Mr. TJ. Eckleburg looks over all our characters with his ever-seeing eyes, Nick watches over it all, in the ups and downs, only watching, never able to change the time or the places or the events. All this seems to point to a sense of voyeuristic helplessness in this story, just as in any story. You can watch the story unravel but you can never change its past.