Since its publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of readers spanning multiple generations.
And while the classic book has sported a variety of jackets, the original book cover, featuring those mysterious, weeping eyes looking over the Manhattan skyline, remains one of the most iconic book covers of all time.
In this post, we’ll explore the story behind the cover and explain how the captivating imagery relates to the story’s plot.
What Is on the Cover of The Great Gatsby?
So, what’s the big deal about this cover? What’s on it anyway?
The first thing you’ll notice is two sad female eyes peering straight at you from just above the center of the cover. They are set above a pair of bright red lips and appear to be part of a deep blue night sky. Below, a vibrant skyline glows with life (although it almost seems to be exploding with energy).
The author’s name and the title are both displayed together in the top third of the cover, hovering just above those eyes.
Who Designed the Great Gatsby Book Cover?
The original cover image was actually a painting by artist Francis Cugat, titled “Celestial Eyes.” It was painted in 1924, one year before the release of The Great Gatsby.
Fitzgerald liked the painting so much that he actually wrote it into the book, and gave Cugat the commission for the dust jacket before the book was finished.
Readers might recognize similar imagery in this passage that describes a billboard advertisement for oculist Dr. T.J. Eckleburg:
“The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic — their irises are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose. Evidently some wild wag of an oculist set them there to fatten his practice in the borough of Queens, and then sank down himself into eternal blindness, or forgot them and moved away. But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.”
Cugat was paid $100 for the work (equivalent to over $1,500 today). It was the only book cover Cugat would ever lend his work to. The artist later worked as a Technicolor consultant for over 60 Hollywood films.
What Does The Great Gatsby Book Cover Mean?
As this article explains, it’s actually not clear whether Cugat was inspired by Fitzgerald’s plot, or vice versa. But however it unfolded, it’s clear that there are overlapping symbols and imagery.
At first glance you may just see a pair of blue eyes, but if you look closely, you’ll see that Cugat hid a pair of nude women within those eyes. This could represent Gatsby’s objectification of Daisy, or might be a reference to Daisy’s knowledge of her husband’s affair.
You’ll also notice that the eyes are crying a single green tear, which is evocative of the famous green light at Daisy’s dock that captivates Gatsby and represents his tireless pursuit.
Lastly, the blinding—almost explosive—lights of the city below represent the roaring 20’s, Gatsby’s huge parties, his friends’ hedonistic lifestyles, and his elaborate charade to get Daisy to love him again.
For a deeper analysis of some of the recurring symbols throughout the book, check out our post on the last line of The Great Gatsby, which explains the iconic green light and other important themes.
Don’t Mess With a Good Thing
The third film adaptation of The Great Gatsby was released in May 2013, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire.
While director Baz Luhrmann’s flashy remake drew mixed reviews (people tended to either love it or hate it), lovers of the classic book seemed to agree that the movie tie-in version of the book cover just couldn’t hold up to the original.
In fact, according to this article in The Atlantic, some booksellers described it as “just God-awful.” (However, it probably did succeed in bringing fans of DiCaprio to both bookstores and movie theaters that year.)
More Iconic Book Covers
There’s no doubt that The Great Gatsby features one of the most iconic and recognizable book covers ever printed, but it stands in good company.
Check out these other famous book covers and discover the stories behind some of literature’s most beloved images.
What do you think of the Great Gatsby book cover? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- The Most Memorable Great Gatsby Quotes, Explained
- The Last Line of The Great Gatsby, Explained
- Symbolism: Common Examples in Life and Literature
- Famous Book Covers and the Stories Behind Them
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
