What does Nick mean when he says "Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever...his count of enchanted objects had diminished by one..."? Explain the context and meaning of this quote. The Great Gatsby
In the context of The Great Gatsby, Nick is referring to the green light at the end of Daisy's dock, which Gatsby often stares at longingly throughout the novel. The green light represents Gatsby's longing for his past relationship with Daisy, and his hope for a future with her.
In this quote, Nick suggests that Gatsby may have realized that the green light no longer holds the same importance for him. The "colossal significance" of the light may have vanished because Gatsby has finally accepted that he cannot recapture the past with Daisy. Therefore, his "count of enchanted objects," or the number of things that hold special significance or fascination for him, has "diminished by one" now that the green light no longer has the same hold on him.
Overall, this quote suggests the theme of the impossibility of recapturing the past and the futility of longing for something that is no longer attainable.