The Great Gatsby: Valley of Ashes


In chapter 2 we are introduced to "the valley of ashes," a place between the Eggs and New York City. "The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg" watches over this desolate place. What are the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg and what do you think that these eyes and the valley of ashes represent? Use textual evidence to support your position.
"...stir up an impenetrable cloud, which screens their obscure operations from your sight. But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg." 


 The eyes that are mentioned in chapter two, symbolize that there are always someone looking or watching at you and your actions despite the black smog that you believe hides and protects you. The people in the valley believe that they're wrongdoings and shady actions are hidden, this can be seen as Tom has his mistress, Myrtle, in this valley and goes on with his life as if no one cared about his affair. 
"The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and, when the drawbridge is up to let barges through, the passengers on waiting trains can stare at the dismal scene for as long as half an hour. There is always a halt there of at least a minute, and it was because of this that I first met Tom Buchanan’s mistress."

The valley of ashes also represent the group of people the reside there trying to escape from the smog, but are looked down by those who are more wealthy. Tom's Mistress, Myrtle, has this affair and according to Catherine with the intention to one day solely be with him, but this feeling is not the same for Tom. Tom only sees Myrtle as someone lower than himself that he enjoys the company of. He has created a lie that Daisy, his wife, prevents them from being able to marry each other, but this must have been said to keep Myrtle form pressing the idea of marriage and a more permanent future with Tom. 

This affair can also show that the people of the valley are there to be used by those more wealthy than them self. They are bound to treat the wealthy with respect and expect none in return. This is shown when Mr. Wilson asks when Tom will bring his car to the garage, but Tom threatens to send his car somewhere else if Mr. Wilson keeps pressing him. Tom shows his dominance in this scene as he controls Mr. Wilson by threatening to take his business elsewhere and, unbeknownst of Mr. Wilson, Tom is in control of his personal life as he is having an affair with his wife.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

We Real Cool and So is This Blog

Image
In "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks uses the poetic element of enjambment. Why do you think she does this, and how does it affect the meaning of the poem? This poem by Gwendolyn Brooks uses the poetic element of enjambment and this has a great affect on the poem. It has a large affect on the flow of the poem making it seem more rushed and like it is one line. Enjambment affects the meaning of this poem because it makes it seem like the ending (death) comes much quicker then if it was not there. The poem is a story, starting the people thinking they are too cool for school and leave. Then they follow a bunch of events and go in a downwards spiral until it ends with there death. It tries to show a cause and effect with leaving school leads to death. The enjambment, I believe, adds to the meaning through affecting the flow and speeding it up. I think that it emphasizes that you will go downhill very quickly as opposed to a more extended period of time.
Read more

Much Ado About Nothing-Inciting Action and the whole plot

The Prompt: We will have finished Acts I and II by the end of the week. As we know from the 5-act plot structure, we should have had an inciting incident at the end of Act I or beginning of Act II which will start off the rising action of the play. What was that inciting incident? Explain your answer and provide an example from the play (meaning a quote). The inciting incident of Much Ado About Nothing is when Claudio announces his love for Hero (Line 179-180 "In mine thine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever looked upon"). This is the inciting incident because once this is said arrangements are made for his wedding and the story is mostly around the events to this event. Don John the Bastard becomes the antagonist when, after overhearing his brother/prince is going to help Claudio , creates trouble and manipulates others for his own gain (Line 58-62 Come, come, let us thither: this may prove food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the glory of my overt
Read more

The English Renaissance Period Poetry Characterisitics

Image
The English Renaissance was an important time in the history of literature and it is during this time that William Shakespeare, widely regarded as the greatest poet in history, lived and worked. Characteristics of the English Renaissance writing are humanism, religion, and Iambic Pentameter Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (Sonnet 18) William Shakespeare , 1564 - 1616 Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st, Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st. So long as m
Read more