Theme Of Death In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, an integral scene to the novel’s development occurs when Gatsby is killed while swimming in his pool. This scene is perhaps one of the most significant and symbolic scenes of the entire work. Throughout the entire novel, Gatsby is trying to achieve his American dream which is to regain Daisy’s affection. This was portrayed by Gatsby grasping for the green light at the end of her dock at the beginning of the novel. However, since Gatsby is unable to repeat the past, he cannot win Daisy back. The hollowness of the elusive American Dream is the overarching theme of the text, and is consequently why Gatsby had to parish. Without Gatsby’s death, this theme would not be as apparent therefore decreasing the work’s overall significance.