What Does Eyes Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

Everyone is being watched judged for their actions in the novel, The Great Gatsby. The motif of eyes is shown throughout the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Eyes are used to show how everyone is always watched and should be careful and think about their actions because each action is very important and will not be forgotten or unnoticed. Fitzgerald’s use of the symbol of eyes in The Great Gatsby, develops the theme that there is always someone watching and nothing goes unnoticed. It is better to think about all actions so that later, one will not have to be warned. When Nick met Jordan, “Her gray sun-strained eyes looked back at [him] with polite reciprocal curiosity” (Fitzgerald 11). Jordan is curious about Nick, only meaning that she will be watching him and will want to know more about him just like when Nick and his friends were driving to town, “Over the ashheaps

At one of Gatsby’s parties, Nicks “eyes fell on Gatsby, standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to another with approving eyes” (50). Although Gatsby doesn’t know majority of the people at his parties, he will still be watching and approving the actions a group or an individual makes. When everybody was going off to down and were not in a good mood, especially Tom, “Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s faded eyes came into sight down the road” (122). The Doctor has been watching and doesn’t seem to be satisfied with the way Tom and Gatsby have been each other. This is shown in the faded eyes which symbolize dissatisfaction. These examples prove the theme because they show that the watchful eyes around people are not only watching ones actions meticulously but also approving them and showing their opinion and feelings towards the actions just like Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s faded