Symbolism of the Swimming Pool in "The Great Gatsby"
In "The Great Gatsby," the pool may have numerous symbolic definitions. First, it can symbolize Gatsby's dreams and wealth. Gatsby never uses the pool until the end of the book. Instead, he just shows it off to people who come to his house. The only reason he throws parties is to show off his wealth in the hopes that Daisy would come. When fall approaches, Gatsby tells his servants not to drain the pool, symbolizing his attempts to hold onto his dreams, including having Daisy. It is clear that his dream of Daisy is almost unobtainable by this time, but he is still trying to hold onto it. His death in the pool represents the death of his ability to have Daisy, and thus cherish his wealth.
The pool can also have a biblical symbolism of the baptism and cleansing of Gatsby. He repeats many times that it is his first time using the pool. He also takes off his expensive clothes which represent materialism. He is being cleansed from the materialism of the 1920's and the materialism he has gained from coveting wealth to impress Daisy. He death may symbolize that he is unable to be cleansed from this materialism as it has become a way of life for him and everyone else living during this time.
The pool can also have a biblical symbolism of the baptism and cleansing of Gatsby. He repeats many times that it is his first time using the pool. He also takes off his expensive clothes which represent materialism. He is being cleansed from the materialism of the 1920's and the materialism he has gained from coveting wealth to impress Daisy. He death may symbolize that he is unable to be cleansed from this materialism as it has become a way of life for him and everyone else living during this time.
I like how you explained that there are many different symbols in the pool. I never thought of some of these things like how it represents his wealth and dreams so it was cool to see what you thought that it represented. I also liked how you used a lot of evidence from the book and his relationship with daisy to show how the pool is symbolic. You wrote a very good and detailed analysis of the pool!
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