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The Valley Of Ashes Symbolism Analysis

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The color yellow symbolizes many deceitful ideas in the novel. As Nick is entering into the Valley of the Ashes, he acknowledges a billboard of an eye doctor and notes: “They look out no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles…” (23). T.J. Eckleburg is looked upon as a fake God. The billboard looks over the Valley of Ashes, implying that he is always watching. While reading, there seems to be a nonexistent reality of religion. Capitalism has taken its apparent toll in the societies of East and West Egg and God is now seen as advertisement for an eye doctor. Not only is the advertising deceitful, but all aspects of the East and West Egg societies are spurious. Upon entering the Valley of Ashes with Tom, they stop by a building and observes it’s “The only building in sight that was a small block of yellow brick sitting on the edge of the waste land” (24). This “small block of yellow brick” is Wilson’s garage. His garage, along with the rest of The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the hidden moral depravity of the East Egg society. The Valley of Ashes …show more content…

As seen, yellow gives false reality to those who have no place in society. In the beginning of chapter three, Nick describes Gatsby’s car saying: “his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains” (39). Finding out that Gatsby would pick up people to attend and leave his party, he was much like a bus driver; he is transportation for all others who have no way of getting home. It is a way for him to show off the new wealth he has accumulated and becomes flashy. He wants to be just like the higher society and tries to mirror how he sees the higher society as. Gatsby’s wealth seems to benefit all others, except for Gatsby himself. The quote represents how all other flamboyant guests have a desire to enter into the high society, like Gatsby himself, but

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