The Great Gatsby Quotes

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Source: The Great Gatsby

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us."

And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. He had come a long way to this blue lawn, and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him, somewhere back in that vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter – to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...and one fine morning–

Context


That green light is one for the books. Literally and metaphorically.

You can read our analysis of the symbol for all the juicy details. For now, we'll just leave you with this image.

Where you've heard it

We really hope you've never heard someone say "orgastic future." Just sayin'.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Anyone who admits to "brooding" and uses words like "orgastic" is definitely a 10 on the pretentious scale.