How Does The Valley Of Ashes Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

In 1925 the novel, The Great Gatsby, was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel takes place in the 1920s, which is also known as The Jazz Age or The Roaring 20s. This was the time where the partying was at its best peak because of the economic boom and expansion America experiences (Historical Context: The Great Gatsby). However, the 1920s was also an era of decay and corruption. In the novel, Nick Carraway, the main character, witnesses events that portray the corruption while in New York. By serving as symbols, locations play a major role into deepening the meaning to the novel. The symbolism of location is significant because it connects the other ideas and overall themes that are depicted in the novel. The valley of ashes is where much of the central action takes place (Religious Language and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby’s Valley of Ashes 200). It represents the damage of the upper class, those from East Egg and West Egg, because of what they are able to inflict on the society. It is located between West Egg and New York, and it is the home of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg and the Wilson family. The valley displays the American Dream that has become barren with ashes because of the decay. When compared to Gatsby’s parties and to this land of ashes, the social classes in their society shows how one class impacts

Tom visits often to see Myrtle, his mistress, however, George is unaware and believes that Tom comes to see him because of the car he is selling (Fitzgerald 23-38). Because of where Wilson’s home is located, the valley has become the primary symbol of the corruption of the American dream. This is a place where Tom and Myrtle are able to live their double life without a worry because of the different social circles. His life with Daisy seems grand and lavish from the view of others, but because of this affair, it adds ashes to the valley from the decay of