Final answer:
The green light symbolizes the American Dream, optimism, and money, but it does not symbolize nature. Nonmaterial culture involves values embodied by symbols like the flag. Functionalism is the sociological theory most associated with the American Dream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The green light in literature, specifically in the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, symbolizes several things including the American Dream, optimism, and money. However, it does not symbolize nature. The green light is a prominent image in the book, representing Gatsby's hopes and dreams for the future, particularly his desire for Daisy and the wealth and status she represents.
In the given question, when referring to the American flag and the ideas of bravery and freedom, these ideas are considered nonmaterial culture because they represent the values and norms that the material symbol of the flag comes to embody.
Regarding the notion of the American Dream, it is most commonly associated with functionalism within sociological theory. Functionalism focuses on the interdependencies and how various parts of a society contribute to the society's functioning as a whole. The American Dream fits within this perspective as it is embraced as part of the cultural values that motivate individuals to contribute to the economy and society.
During the recession that began in 2008, the American Dream was challenged as workers lost their jobs, which demonstrated the complexity and the sometimes harsh realities deviating from the idealized myth of achieving success solely through hard work.