The Great Gatsby Valley Of Ashes Analysis

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The 1920’s were a time of great change and revolution. Many immigrants arrived from their foreign lands in search for the same goal as any other immigrant at the time, the American Dream. Stories told of immigrants coming with nothing, eventually to find their dreams come true sparked around every corner, and many too, wanted to be a part of the great influx of dreams come true. At least, that was the ideal situation. The Valley of Ashes describes the hopelessness and poverty that many faced throughout the decade of the 20s. It is described as “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat…where ashes take the forms of houses… of men who move dimly… already crumbling through the powdery air.” The description shows heavy contrast from the mansions …show more content…

Eckleburg. The blue eyes, “dimmed by paint less days of sun and ran”, hang over what is described as a dumping ground. Nick states that the billboard was advertising to increase patients in the borough of Queens, but due to the nature and scenery of the Valley, it’s unlikely that ever happened. Fitzgerald’s inclusion of the valley of ashes is an important inclusion. The major theme of the Great Gatsby is wealth, and in order to truly observe the concept, it must be seen from both sides and angles. To see the story from only the side of the rich would give an ideal and biased look into the roaring twenties, and things are never ideal in the world, for there is always poverty and suffering. His theme of the pursuit of wealth is shown early as to quickly show the reader the corruption that money could have on a person, leading them to take large risks that they wouldn’t otherwise take. When looking at Nick describing the valley of ashes, we can learn that he is not used to the environment. His use of words like “foul”, desolate”, “ghastly”, and “bleak” show that his doesn’t particularly enjoy the place, but doesn’t go out of his way to go forth and tell the reader that the Valley of Ashes is a disgusting place. He’s very careful with his words, showing the reader that he does, indeed, take his father’s advice

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