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What Does Eckleburg Mean In The Great Gatsby

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From the selections of symbols from The Great Gatsby, I chose the eyes of T.J Eckleburg. I’ve read many theories about the meaning of T.J Eckleburg's eyes in The Great Gatsby. As you may find out, T.J Eckleburg was a doctor in our story. The big blue eyes that were described so vividly by Nick Carraway; another character in our story, are on an old billboard advertisement. They are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. I’ve read that they represent god staring down upon and judging American society as a moral wasteland but the book never makes that clear. If you read the book thoroughly though you may find it be hinted at. Another example would be when George and myrtle are arguing by the window where the …show more content…

He’s said to be all seeing, ever present, and frowning as nick carraway points out. Giving hints that the eyes are a symbol of god watching in disappointment in how each character acts. Another point of view you could take is that God has been replaced with capitalism. Instead of a religious representation, the best they can do is manifest god on a billboard; an old advertisement. All theories, in a sense, make sense. But the viewpoint of T.J Eckleburg’s eyes representing god seems most clear to me. They even use the big blue eyed billboard as a god figure. As I explained before, George telling myrtle she can’t fool god while they’re in front of the window to where we know the billboard is visible. Also with Nick saying the eyes were “watching Vigil” & telling the readers that he is all seeing, ever present, and frowning. I believe the eyes are the most important symbol in the book because they tie in with just about every character. They truly feel the eyes watch over them all the time judging every action they take. Making the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg, the eyes of

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