Symbolism

On page 65 Gatsby presents Nick with a picture of himself at Oxford University. This photo that Gatsby always keeps with him is one of the less obvious symbols in Great Gatsby. He uses this photo to reinforce one of the lies he lives – that he was educated at Oxford – when in actuality he was not there to be educated. The symbolism is especially highlighted because few people believe this tale. The picture, and the fact that Gatsby always has it with him, is one of the many symbols of his insecurity. It demonstrates how much he tries to prove himself to be a wealthy, well-off man who is worthy of Daisy’s attention. In this way it shows one of the main points of the novel: that Gatsby does not truly fit in with the established upper class and ‘Old Money’ no matter how much he tries.