To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:


yunho520
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Describe the "valley of ashes" in "The Great Gatsby". What does it look like and what does it represent?

Rate question:

Posted by yunho520 on Saturday January 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM and tagged with chapter 2, description, symbols, to kill a mockingbird, valley of ashes.

Answers:

  1. dneshan
    dneshan Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The Valley of Ashes is the section between East Egg and New York City.  It is described in Chapter 2 as Tom and Nick approach it on their way to pick up Myrtle Wilson at her husband’s garage.  The Valley of Ashes is described as being a dirty place with many factories and buildings.  The significance of this location seems to be the billboard that hangs over it – the billboard of Dr. TJ Eckleberg – which is an advertisement for an eye doctor and contains a picture of a pair of eyes within circular glasses.  Nick tells the reader that when looking at this billboard it is as if someone is watching over you (or what is happening in the Valley of Ashes).   

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby

    Rate answer:

    Posted by dneshan on Saturday January 17, 2009 at 5:37 PM