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How Does The Valley Of Ashes Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

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Alyssa Kaufmann Dr. B English 10 15 March 2023 Symbolism and the Power of the Past F Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby as a commentary on society post World War I. Within the novel, it addresses the idea of the American Dream, social class structure, and the power of the past. Some of the most potent examples that symbolize the power of the past are Daisy as a character, the eyes of Dr. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes. Daisy represents the significant power of the past over identity, and the future. She and her actions are the precipice of the entire plot. The book begins with her, and the climax is because of her. Nick describes daisy like this “Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids and pleasant, cheerful …show more content…

Eckleburg also represents the power of the past. Within the 36 years after article it states “ This devitalized limbo is presided over by the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg.”(37, Dyson) This quote is referring to the Valley of Ashes. The valley of ashes both represents the consequences of the “American Dream”and where the terrible actions of society happen. Tom cheats on his wife in the Valley of Ashes, and it’s where Daisy kills Myrtle. But, even this gruesome, dirty place has someone watching over it. Dr. Eckleburg keeps watch over the valley. But, Dr. Eckleburg also keeps watch over people as their past selves. People are unnerved by the billboard, and feel like they are being watched and judged when they enter the valley. They are not actually presently judged, but they are feeling their past selve’s judgment. If someone is going into the Valley of Ashes, they are probably going to do something their past self would view as bad. The Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg are just a reminder to everyone to question their decisions, and think “what would I have said about this 5 years ago?” Not only that the Eyes are viewed as the eyes of God. When confronting his wife, Wilson said “God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!”(123, Fitzgerald) Myrtle may have been able to trick her husband, but she wasn't able to hide from the eyes of God, or her …show more content…

They would say that Fitzgerald wrote a novel for the purpose of being consumed mindlessly, not to invoke conversation and thought. Some media content is just made for entertainment. Regardless, Fitzgerald wrote this during the 20s including many potent themes from this time. He was observing post war skepticism, the influx of the entrepreneurial spirit, and the manner in which social classes interacted with each other. Social classes developed tension due to change. African American people were moving en masse to the North from the South, and many new immigrants were arriving in America. This change caused more tension between the socio-economic classes. Regardless of his intention, Fitzgerald brought attention to the realities of the

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From the quote, “This is a Valley of Ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. Occasionally a line of gray cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak, and comes to rest, and immediately the ash-gray men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud, which screens their obscure operations from your sight” (23), it can be seen how the Valley of Ashes is a depressing place. It represents the moral and social decay that results from the continued search of wealth and acceptance in society. Seen by how the rich provide themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the forcefulness of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and lose their vitality as a result.

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