Enlightened Eyes

In the valley of ashes under the omniscient eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, several relationships unravel, bringing to light unwanted realizations of infidelity. Tom hastily decides to trek into town after he witnesses the intimate interaction between Daisy and Gatsby. While the sun's rays radiate down onto Daisy and Gatsby, "she had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded" (125). The use of Tom's surname emphasizes his marital connection with Daisy and gives the observation an underlying serious tone, like a news report. The following sentence tersely displays Tom's blatant shock, completely at a loss of words. Upon arriving in town under the blazing sun in the gray wasteland, which reflects the physical dimension of immorality, Tom encounters sickly Mr. Wilson, who plans to move out West with Myrtle. The realization of his wife's affair weighed on the poor garage owner to the point of corporeal distress. Nick, having observed these lateral discoveries, finds "no difference between men, in intelligence or race" (131). The polar opposite men find themselves in the same eye opening situation after realizing the true nature of their wives under the wide blue eyes of Dr. Eckleburg. Another pair of eyes "wide with jealous terror" belonging to Myrtle, focused on Jordan, incorrectly labeling the young golfer as her lover's wife (131). Later that day, under Gatsby and Tom's pressure, Daisy admits that she has loved them both, making "Gatsby's eyes open and close" (140). With one breath, Daisy brings Gatsby a little closer to reality out of his fantastical dream world where he imagined her painfully pining for him during their five years apart.