Watery Whoas

We discussed the signifigance of the current in "The Great Gatsby" during our Harkness and came up with some interesting ideas about its signifigance to the novel. We drew the conclusion that the current represented the passing of time and that Gatsby had to swim against it to reach te green light on Daisy's dock while the Duch sailor's went with the current (and thus toward the future) on their exploration of the New World. Unfortunately, (or fortunately depending on your point of view) the current is only one of the many symbols one must decipher when reading the great Gatsby; infact, the current is only one example of the role of water in the novel. We see the water motiff play in throughout the novel. Consider the aquatic names of the East-eggers who attendid Gatsby's parties--Hammerheads, Fishguards, Leech-- and consider the location of the novel (on the shore), Gatsby's death in the pool, James Gatz who made is wealth on a boat etc. What do you think water symbolizes? This is certainly not the first time water has played a role in the novels we have read this year? What makes it such a versatile symbol?

-Becca