What does Nick mean when he compares the green light to how America, rising out of the ocean, must have looked to early settlers of the new nation.
For Nick, the green light is a symbol of motivation.... the things we reach out for..... work toward.
The Great Gatsby
It symbolizes a bleak view of the American dream.
In the book, the green light across from Gatsby's dock is Daisy's residence. Although Gatsby has acquired vast wealth like he always dreamed of, he continues to reach for more. He reaches for the green light to represent his desire to be with Daisy but in reality the dream was unattainable from the start. Daisy symbolizes something Gatsby simply is not and never will be: old money. No matter how hard Gatsby tries, whether claiming to be an "Oxford man", changing his last name, or attaining huge sums of wealth, he was doomed from the start because Daisy is ultimately everything he tries to be but never will be. Then he dies and Wolfshiem cleans out the house and leaves it to dust. The green light is really a symbol of the American dream of constantly wanting, often what is even unachievable, what you can not have instead of appreciating what is already behind you. And suddenly, you die but the light continues shining, meaning America and your dreams move on without you.
