What do you make of the final line of the novel of the The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald?

Question

These are the final line of the novel:

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter – to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…And one fine morning –

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

Answer 1

I believe that the ending of this classic novel summarizes Gatsby's ambitious ignorance.This is the moment when Nick realizes that the only way to accept the past is to learn from it, finding opportunities in new beginnings while acknowledging the failures that help us grow as individuals. This is proven in the line "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote this novel in response to the idealistic communities of the roaring 20's, criticizing the idea that it was the "Golden Age" of America despite witnessing injustice, greed, and apathy. Jay Gatsby is the human symbol of this ideology, representing the ignorant mindset of American 20's culture.

The meaning behind the novel's iconic Green Light is still debated. There are many interpretations of this particular aspect of the story, but I have always believed that it has represented Gatsby's obsession with the past. In literature, the color green can sometimes represent wealth, greed, and ambition. It is not coincidental that the light always appears at the end of Daisy's dock, and why it often appears in times of recollection. As Nick and the rest of the world move forward, Gatsby relies on the green light to remind himself of the promises he made, and how far he is willing to go to fulfill them. He refuses to acknowledge the past. using his wealth to hide the flaws buried beneath the surface.

As the novel concludes its story, it is clear that Nick thinks fondly of his friend, but he understands why he must learn from Gatsby's tragic demise. He shares Gatsby's story in a way that is poignant and sincere, but he also learns to accept that the green light is nothing more than an illusion. Refusing to give in to its tempting ambitions, Nick remembers the tragedy of his good friend, moving on to take what he has learned to start a new life.

Answer 2

I agree with what Bri said, and I also think that F. Scott Fitzgerald is trying to capture Jay Gatsby's resilience and his never-ending optimism. Gatsby had a rough upbringing, and constantly faced difficult situations throughout his life. In order to fit in with the high society of metropolitan New York, though, he feels like he has to conceal his humble beginnings from his new peers on the east coast while still striving to improve his lot in life.

The green light symbolizes Daisy's love and Gatsby's acceptance into this new social strata. Reaching this level of acceptance, though, is not easy, because it "recedes before us", and we are constantly rowing "against the current" to get what we want in life. For Gatsby, though, he remains undeterred, and continues to push back against these impediments with unfaltering idealism.

Answer 3

I believe that the last line of this timeless novel conveys Nick reflecting on the whole of his experiences with Jay and Daisy and the way they impacted him. He escaped the surroundings that remind him of them by moving back to the midwest, but that did not diminish the impact that Jay specifically had on him. He is looking towards the future, and though he will carry these experiences with him, he is planning to move on and live a fuller live after having seen what Jay's life, and death, meant. Specifically, he states "to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther", which is an indication that he is planning to move on from this time in his life. Though, he also isn't deluding himself into thinking that everything will be as extravagant and shiny as it had been when he was Jay's sidekick. This is evident in the line "so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." He understands the era of endless possibilities and true decadence passed on when Jay did. He recognizes life is liable to be filled with monotony, similar to that of waves crashing against the side of a boat. These thoughts wrap up the central themes of the book well, through the eyes of someone who saw the ways that Gatsby's obsession with the idea of Daisy cost him everything in the end.

Hope this helps,

Bri