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Judgment In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

696 Words3 Pages

The basis of all judgment is built on the perception of right and wrong. Through different perspectives and beliefs, convictions become truth, and a standard is established for those around us. In our novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ this idea is explored through the lens of a moral decree. Taking place during the Jazz Age of the 1920s, our setting showcases themes of prospering wealth, empty pleasures, and lax morals. Throughout the novel, we tour the indulgent lifestyles of the period. The influences of the storyteller, Nick Carraway, and the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, work to shape our understanding of the fast-changing ideals. Paired in contrast is the symbolism counteracting these perspectives. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg. Characters and readers alike engage with the eyes through its representation of the righteousness we criticize …show more content…

Throughout the book the eyes are referred to periodically, personified by the characters Nick, Tom, and Wilson. Through their respective perceptions, we are given insight into their views and judgments. Perceived through the eyes of Nick, a look at hedonism in the 1920s is shown to cultivate a moral decline. At the party in the Valley of Ashes, Nick condemns the debauchery of the time. At the beginning of his story, he comments “When I came back from the East last autumn I felt that I wanted the world to be in uniform and at a sort of moral attention forever” When Nick looks at the billboard he sees a critic of the world around him. In the case of Tom “...exchanging a frown with Doctor Eckleburg.” His perception of the eyes condemns the people who live ‘beneath’ him. If the eyes were God, why does Tom feel exempt from the judgment, when he is partaking in sin too? But when viewed by Wilson, after Myrtle’s death, the advert does become God in that moment “I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool

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J. Eckleburg's Use Of Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

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He is able to see through humanity’s facade and truly judge our actions. After discussing with Owl Eyes at the funeral, Nick states, “I’d never seen him since. I don’t know how he knew about the funeral, or even his name” (174). Although humanity has a general grasp of God’s abilities and His relationship to us, we are ultimately left with a sense of mystery concerning His character. Despite Nick constantly noticing Owl Eyes lurking around, he has yet to understand his background.

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The novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who comes to 1920's New York to fulfill the American dream. Instead, he realizes the hollowness behind industrial wealth driven ideals. After Nick gets settled in West Egg, he finds himself in the company of millionaires Daisy, Tom, and Jay Gatsby; all of whom demonstrate either an inability or unwillingness to acting with consideration to those around them. Even Nick, who is meant to be reflective and unbiased, ended up being a morally ambiguous character at best. The one thing contrasting the stories ubiquitous impropriety, is the billboard of T.J. Eckelberg's bespectacled eyes.

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T.J. Eckleburg, whose face is meant for an advertisement for an eye doctor or optometrist. However, it is important to note that this billboard is placed in the valley of ashes, an area that is described as poor, desolate, and dirty. The use of the descriptive word gigantic, expresses the idea of one “having an eye on you.” The sinking of “eternal blindness” that is conveyed in the passage adds to the illusion that the eyes ---. Finally in the last sentence the idea is represented that the eyes have been there for a while, but no longer care about what they see.

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To begin, throughout the novel The Great Gatsby, many immoral things have happened and events you can but can’t explain. Every single character does something you didn’t expect. For example, a couple

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Gatsby’s father, Mr Gatz helps the reader to see the contrast between the social climbing, immoral people that this story revolves around and the average people living their normal lives. Mr Gatz’ “pride in his son” (p. 183), and overall love for Gatsby, redeems the text from being a total immoral story. Both members of the Gatz’ family, bring this hope and love to the text which redeems the world. The world of The Great Gatsby is not a spiritual and moral wasteland. F. Scott Fitzgerald has use characterisation to display the extreme moral indecency of the 1920’s New Yorker lifestyle.

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