Lots of posts, don't get overwhelmed, just understand. We, at long last, have come to the end of Gatsby, both literally and figuratively (good terms to know). Be very aware that the film differs greatly from the book. Unlike the movie, religion plays a very important role in George Wilson's life; put these pieces together, in terms of the symbols, particularly looking at the Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg juxtaposed against the ash heaps. To truly look at this novel through its religious symbolism, think of the ash heaps and Wilson's service station as the limbo that one must pass through to enter - where? Gatsby's house? Bright. The color of clouds. Filled with gold. Sound a little like Heaven, maybe?

Maybe.

And think of the Eyes. Those all seeing, all knowing eyes. Indeed it seems that Nick is the only character in the story who knows everything. Instead, Nick is but the only perceptive character in the novel, a good judge of character and a perfect gentleman of a narrator. But there are other eyes that know more. Is someone watching you now? Wilson thinks so.

As you learn to read better, you'll begin to pick out an author's clues to events that occur later in a novel, that foreshadowing that author's offer to let you in on their secrets. We know already in Chapter 1 that "Gatsby turned out all right in the end." Dead, of course, but an honorable man. That's an obvious one, but as you get better at this you'll begin to see clues like the foreshadowing that's provided by the first car accident following one of Gatsby's parties. People don't know how to drive well. They drive drunk. They may have never driven before. That first accident was evidence that automobiles would play a dastardly role later on.

Deep, huh? Maybe we're reading too much into it. Nonetheless, the symbols are there and you'll need to know about the ash heaps, the eyes and the green light. Did I mention the green light? Sorry. Gotta go. You're on your own.