Gold in The Great Gatsby shines with beauty and deception. All through the novel, Fitzgerald uses the color as a symbol of wealth, beauty, and the tawdry existence all of these characters lead. But gold reveals something darker too; its surface glint most often hides hollowness and decay. Daisy, the “golden girl,” shines in Gatsby’s imagination. Her hair, her voice, and her jewelry are described as gold-plated. But all that shine conceals thoughtlessness, egotism, and emotional numbness. Gatsby doesn’t love Daisy herself, he loves her golden symbol. And this symbol is as hollow as she is captivating. Gatsby’s house, his car, even his parties all have gold trimmings. They’re not to be humble about, not to be subtle that he is upper class. Fitzgerald suggests the gold is tinsel glitter, no substance. Gatsby’s wealth, unlike Tom’s, is flashy and precarious. They draw attention but respect is another story. In the novel’s most sorrowful moment, Myrtle is struck by a gold automobile. The color of the automobile obviously links her death to the money and looks corrupt. She dies for what gold represents but can never have freedom, love, and status. Fitzgerald’s gold leads me to wonder, what do I hold dear? It is pretty, I guess, but is it genuine? Gold in The Great Gatsby is not an indicator of virtue, gold covers up vice. And if the radiance dwindles, then there remains nothing but dust.