Gatsby - Symbolism

Delve-in question 1

Chapter 2

Symbolism: What is symbolic about the "valley of ashes" and "the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg"? Please think for yourself, I know what spark notes says.

I think the alley of ashes is supposed to symbolize death or sadness. It is supposed to show a sense of depression. I feel it is also supposed to show corruption in the upper class character inflict on society. Personally I've been in the ghetto in queens I have family there, when you are there you feel vulnerable, weak, and confused. Vulnerability comes from the fact that you are in a place you aren't familiar with, weakness from the lack of street smarts, and confusion from the fact that you never know what is going to happen next.

"But above the grey 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 of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic- their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose…But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paint less days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground." The eyes of Dr. T.j. Eckleburg are meant to symbolize god. Somebody over looking all of the hypocrisy, cheating, lying, and manipulation going on in the story.

Chapter3

1. Characterization: What might be the reason for Fitzgerald waiting until Ch. 3 to introduce Gatsby? Nick comments that the people at the party conduct "themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park." Analyze what is being conveyed by the comparison. What does Nick insist twice that shows he is trying to separate himself from the others? In what way are Nick and Gatsby similar at this point?

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