F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the classic American novel The Great Gatsby in an era of partying, prohibition defiance, and waste. Fitzgerald warned that these actions would have consequences, and just four years later the stock market collapsed, swallowing up all of America. The modernist novel The Great Gatsby managed to become not only a classic American tale, but also a literary masterpiece that endures to this day. Although the novel is considered a cult classic today, it was not a success at first. It was not only a commercial failure, but initially received mixed reviews, with many feeling that it "debunked the idea that Fitzgerald was one of the great writers of his generation" (Lang). The Great Gatsby consolidates itself as a spectacular show. From the beautiful imagery to the symbolism, we capture the beauty that the author is trying to demonstrate. The Green Light is one of the most popular facets of the story, and for good reason. It symbolizes many things, but for Gatsby, it represents Daisy and his means to achieve her. “…he stretched out his arms curiously toward the dark water, and as far away as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling” (Fitzgerald 24). This quote shows how much light means to him. For others, it might represent the American dream, and how difficult it is to achieve, due to distance. We read passages from the novel and our imagination runs wild. The green light is a recurring image in the novel, and immediately, as readers, we want to sense what the characters are thinking and feeling. “Gatsby believed in the green light, in the orgastic future that, year after year, recedes before us” (Fitzgerald 193). This quote demonstrates the impact of light on people, especially Gatsby. I believe the author uses Gatsby's obsession with the green light to show us that even the simplest things can be used as a source of inspiration and hope. Our humanity grows when we watch the characters' actions and suddenly think twice about our own. We are angry at the cruel nature of people like Tom and empathetic towards others like