The Green Light

What is this green light??? What does it represent? Well in my opinion the green light that is talked of throughout the novel represents the future. Whatever the future may be grim or very optimistic.

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow 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." P. 115

This quote in the book shows us that Gatsby always looked toward the future and we as readers should never stop in trying to achieve our personal dreams and aspiratations. We may not all have such amazing futures but the hope that the green light symbolizes will always be there. When gatsby looks into the horizon at Daisy's home it describes a green light that lingered once Gatsbys heart was broken.

"I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone - he stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward - and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness." P. 16

Gatsby finally realizes he has lost Daisy and now all thats left is his unknown future. Nick seems to think Gatsby was trembling and this could represent the fear we all have regarding our unknown future.