As a symbol, the Valley of Ashes in The Great
Gatsby represents the corruption of the Jazz Age with its lack of morality
and hollowness that results from the relentless pursuit of money. This valley
symbolizes the moral decay of the newly rich who indulge themselves, disregarding all
others and anything that interferes in their pleasure.
The
Valley of Ashes also represents the poor, who must "live lives of quiet desperation"
outside the pleasure and brightness of life. George Wilson represents such a person,
faded and faint, he has lost all vitality from living in this moral wasteland.
Fitzgerald describes him as "a spiritless man" who has "white ashen dust" that veils his
dark suit; however, his wife Myrtle is enlivened when she dons a new suit or dress
.
No comments:
Post a Comment