The Eyes and the Valley of Ashes

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg “They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose” (p23). Looking over the Valley of ashes, pacing judgment as it sees the inhabitants of west and east egg meet at the train. When Nick follows Tom to meet Tom’s “girl” Nick even mentions the eye’s “persistent stare” (p 24). Tom’s wrong actions can be hidden from every soul, he can even make Mrs. Wilson (Myrtle) stay in another car to avoid suspicion from “those East Eggers who might be on the train” (p 26). But the eyes of the Doctor will always see his sin. And because of his eyes the only “real” place in this book is the Valley of Ashes. This is mostly shown when we meet Mr. Wilson. He lives on the edge of the valley symbolizing his morality but still his eagerness to fit in with the Eggers. He has an honest business that he works hard to maintain unlike Tom who inherits his money, but is still looked down upon by his wife, Tom, and other Egger snubs at the party. Not to mention his wife is having an affair with Tom; the woman he would do anything for. She would rather be with someone that gives her a broken nose. But this is all the norm for the shallow people in this story. For example Myrtle’s idea of a Gentleman is a good breeder, “I married him because I thought he was a gentleman, I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit enough to lick my shoe” (p 34). What has she done to make her so great? He is the one bringing home the bacon. The Eggers live in a fake world that is the “Roaring 20’s”. They think all is grand and they can do anything they want. But in reality the valley of ashes is closer then they think they have to cross it everyday and it’s the train in the valley that keeps the rich upper class world connected. Just like the large amount of poor people in the 20’s kept the rich up on their pedestal. When the rich have a problem they toss it aside and it’s left for the “ash-gray men” to “stir up the impenetrable cloud” (p 23).
-Michael Spinosa