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What Does Eckleburg Mean In The Great Gatsby

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From the selections of symbols from The Great Gatsby, I chose the eyes of T.J Eckleburg. I’ve read many theories about the meaning of T.J Eckleburg's eyes in The Great Gatsby. As you may find out, T.J Eckleburg was a doctor in our story. The big blue eyes that were described so vividly by Nick Carraway; another character in our story, are on an old billboard advertisement. They are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. I’ve read that they represent god staring down upon and judging American society as a moral wasteland but the book never makes that clear. If you read the book thoroughly though you may find it be hinted at. Another example would be when George and myrtle are arguing by the window where the …show more content…

He’s said to be all seeing, ever present, and frowning as nick carraway points out. Giving hints that the eyes are a symbol of god watching in disappointment in how each character acts. Another point of view you could take is that God has been replaced with capitalism. Instead of a religious representation, the best they can do is manifest god on a billboard; an old advertisement. All theories, in a sense, make sense. But the viewpoint of T.J Eckleburg’s eyes representing god seems most clear to me. They even use the big blue eyed billboard as a god figure. As I explained before, George telling myrtle she can’t fool god while they’re in front of the window to where we know the billboard is visible. Also with Nick saying the eyes were “watching Vigil” & telling the readers that he is all seeing, ever present, and frowning. I believe the eyes are the most important symbol in the book because they tie in with just about every character. They truly feel the eyes watch over them all the time judging every action they take. Making the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg, the eyes of

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In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston uses speech as a tool to show the progression of the story. Janie Crawford, the main character of the novel, finds her true identity and ability to control her voice through many hardships. When Janie’s grandmother dies she is married off, to be taken care of. In each marriage that follows, she learns what it is to be a woman with a will and a voice. Throughout the book, Janie finds herself struggling against intimidating men who attempt to victimize her into a powerless role.

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In The Eyes are Watching God, the author Zora Neale Hurston expresses the struggles of women and black societies of the time period. When Hurston published the book, communities were segregated and black communities were full of stereotypes from the outside world. Janie, who represents the main protagonist and hero, explores these communities on her journey in the novel. Janie shows the ideals of feminism, love, and heroism in her rough life in The Eyes. Janie, as the hero of the novel, shows the heroic qualities of determination, empathy, and bravery.

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The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston supports a theme of desire, love, and independence. Neale uses different literary devices such as symbolism and motif. Neale uses symbolism to express the theme of independence, desire and love. For example, uses Janie’s hair to symbolizes her independence and desire. Janie’s hair expresses the breaking the social standard barrier, by having her straight hair worn down which was seen shameful for a woman her age.

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In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie merely wants to love someone, but that choice is ripped out of her hands when Nanny makes her marry someone she does not love. This marriage as well as another one does not work out because she never learns to love them. Finally, she meets Tea Cake, and falls madly in love with him even though he is a lot younger than she is. He is someone that she can truly love while still being able to be herself. They go through their struggles as well and sadly, he dies by the end of the novel.

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"God sees everything," repeated Wilson. "That's an advertisement," Michaelis assured him” (Fitzgerald 88). This piece of text connects the eyes of Eckleburg to the eyes of God. In a way, that he sees all things and it is a sign of keeping people accountable for their wrong doings. “The eyes also symbolize the corruption of America’s people.

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