The Use of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: An Analysis of the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg and the Valley of Ashes
The Use of Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: An Analysis of the Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg and the Valley of Ashes
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is rich with symbolism, much of it used to comment on the moral and social decay of 1920s America. Among the most striking symbols in the novel are the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, which are painted on an old billboard overlooking the Valley of Ashes. These eyes, which are described as “blue and gigantic,” become a powerful image in the novel, symbolizing the omnipresence of moral judgment and the spiritual emptiness of the world the characters inhabit.
The billboard’s eyes are a reminder of the disconnect between the idealism of the American Dream and the harsh realities of society. They stand as a silent, watchful figure, observing the decay and corruption of the characters’ lives, especially the moral failures of figures like Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and even Jay Gatsby. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg are often interpreted as representing the lost sense of spiritual and moral oversight in an era obsessed with material wealth and superficial appearances. They suggest that, while society may have lost its moral compass, there is still an inescapable sense of judgment looming over the characters.
The Valley of Ashes, the desolate industrial area where the billboard is located, is another potent symbol in the novel. It represents the moral and social decay beneath the façade of wealth and glamour. While East Egg and West Egg represent wealth and social distinction, the Valley of Ashes highlights the destructive consequences of unchecked industrialization and the pursuit of profit. It is a metaphor for the emptiness and corruption that exist beneath the surface of the American Dream, where ambition, greed, and materialism lead to moral bankruptcy.
