... F. Scott Fitzgerald, first line analysis, great literature, line analysis, literature studies, Nick … Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings in The Great Gatsby. There is a great variety of symbols used to demonstrate the society of the sass’s, Gatsby hopes, and the extravagant life of the rich. Even it you don’t know the story, you’ve probably heard of it, Fitzgerald, jazz, and flappers. Like Hamlet or The Godfather or Star Wars, it’s hard to even see The Great Gatsby for itself. The opening is Nick reminiscing about the past and the story - apparently of Gatsby and his own past - that's he about to tell us. For example, different objects and colors are used to symbolize traits and personalities for characters in the novel. In an effort to see the book as clearly as possible, let’s take a look at the first two sentences, and try to pretend we’ve never encountered the novel, or its significant cultural aura, before.