Motifs: The Great Gatsby - UPDATED

A motif is a recurring element of symbolic significance within a story. 



The Great Gatsby was first a 1925 novel set in the summer of 1922, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, an American author. It was created as a film in 1974, and again recently in 2013.

In the time that it is set, the likely aspiration of an American dream would be success and fortune, however Gatsby has already achieved this, so his dream focuses on a woman. Although Fitzgerald does not mention the idea of the American dream in the novel, he still shows the impossibility of achieving a desire for happiness through symbols and motifs, which are continued in the film.
The story focuses on the character Jay Gatsby and the woman he is in love with, Daisy Buchanan, and is a prime example in the use of motifs. 
An element of symbolic significance in The Great Gatsby is the green light that Gatsby sees at the end of Daisy's dock. To Gatsby, this green light represents his American dream, which is Daisy. The light is described as 'minute and far away', suggesting that it is impossible to reach, emphasising the idea that is is an unattainable goal in Gatsby's life. 
The green light also represents the future, suggested when the novel reads 'Gatsby believed in the green light, the future that year by year recedes before us'. The light is elusive and uncertain, much like Gatsby's future, emphasising the idea that his dream is hopeless even if he is determined. The light is also never constant, continually fading, maintaining the idea that the future is not settled and decided.
In the film the light is shown in different forms, each representing the never-ending love Gatsby has for Daisy. When the seemingly unreachable light appears closer, it demonstrates how emotionally close Gatsby may be to Daisy. This is shown when the light is intense and bright, suggesting Gatsby is further to his goal, and more capable of achieving his dream of Daisy being his. The intensity of the light could also suggest that his love for her is undying, as he refuses to give up on his dream, unwavering from his love for her. 
The fact the light is green is also important when considering its symbolic significance. 

Green is a colour associated with spring, which symbolises growth, and confidence. This emphasises the severity of Gatsby’s love for Daisy, and the determination in which he seeks to achieve his dream.

In this over the shoulder shot, the audience can see that Gatsby is reaching out towards the light. This suggests that he feels the closeness of it, and believes his dream is within reach. An alternative idea to this shot is that he has become desperate to achieve his goal, yearning for his dream, possibly knowing this is as close as he could get. The positioning of this shot makes the audience sympathise with him, aware of his determination and empathising with his willingness not to give up on his dream.

When his dream of being with Daisy falls apart, the symbol of the green light changes. Instead of representing his hope and willpower, it represents his misfortune, a reminder of his loneliness and the truth of his reality. Further, this also represents the ultimate failure of the American dream, demonstrating how dreams are often unreachable.

For my Thriller opening I hope to also use a motif that can continue throughout the idea of the film. An idea for a motif I am interested in is the use of shadows - or one particular reoccurring shadow - to create a concept or idea, perhaps of the unknown and secrecy. 
I like the idea of using a motif as I believe it can tie together an idea, making a concept involved within a film but without it being too explicit. Because of this, I hope to be able to use a motif within my own work.