Nick Crosses The Queensboro Bridge Metaphorical Language

F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the first sight of New York City as a miracle of human engineering (Page 68). He illustrates the city as a “beauty in the world” and describes it magnificently. Through the use of rhetoric, Fitzgerald portrays the concept of the American Dream, one of the many themes that exist in the novel. As Nick crosses the Queensboro Bridge, Fitzgerald utilizes metaphorical language to expose the concept of the American Dream as it exists in the novel. As Nick crosses “the great bridge” and sees the “city rising up across the river,” Fitzgerald displays that the city is a place where one could move up the social ladder and fulfill his or her American Dream of becoming rich. By describing the city as a “wild promise of all the
[mysteries] and [beauties] in the world,” Fitzgerald metaphorically mentions that a person who sees the city for the first time witnesses the elegance and the glamour that the city displays; Fitzgerald uses the city’s beauty to represent the hopes, dreams, goals, and accomplishments an individual desires to achieve. However, he also mentions the “mysteries” of the city which represents the corruption and the wrongdoings that exist interiorly of the city but not exteriorly. As Nick moves towards the streets of the city, Fitzgerald shows that the intriguing American Dream is not as promising as it looks at first glance, and Nick is able to perceive the corruption that exists within the city. Through the use of symbolism, Fitzgerald displays that the city at the first glance is rising “in white heaps and sugar.” He uses the color white to symbolize the purity of the heart of those who begin to strive for the Dream. He further mentions that the “light shining through the girders” symbolizes the glimpses of hope for success. Through the use of symbolism, Fitzgerald supports his theme of the American Dream by making things that describe the city represent something in accordance to his message. He uses these items to represent that at a first look the city feels so promising that an individual begins to believe that he could accomplish anything, even though corruption exists within the city. Throughout the passage, Fitzgerald uses vivid language and symbolism to explain his purpose and concept of the American Dream as it applies in Great Gatsby. He illustrates that at first glance of the city it is hopeful and optimistic and free of corruption, but as one goes towards the streets of the city, an individual finds this to be erroneous.