Asked by: Marcelina Vaskovsky
books and literature fiction

What is the valley of ashes in Great Gatsby?

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This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.


Similarly one may ask, what is the valley of ashes in Great Gatsby literally?

The Valley of Ashes separates West Egg from New York City. This location symbolizes moral decay as it's filled with ash from the city's industry, as well as the scene of the crime that takes place at the end of the novel.

Beside above, who lives in the valley of ashes in The Great Gatsby? George and Myrtle Wilson live in the Valley of Ashes.

Regarding this, what is the valley of ashes in The Great Gatsby answers?

It represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and lose their vitality as a result.

What is the valley of ashes in The Great Gatsby Chapter 2?

Chapter 2 begins with a description of the valley of ashes, a desolate and forsaken expanse of formerly developed land that marks the intersection of the city with the suburbs. In addition to its desolate feel and uniform grayness, this forlorn area is home to a decaying billboard that calls attention to itself.

Related Question Answers

Morton Barosa

Professional

Why is Myrtle attracted Tom?

Tom is attracted to Myrtle merely due to her immorality and position in the lower-class. Because Myrtle is dissatisfied with her social standing, she is practically desperate and willing to endure Tom's many abuses in order to transcend her social status.

Ranim Wollitz

Professional

How is the Valley of Ashes described?

The Valley of Ashes is the section between East Egg and New York City. It is described in Chapter 2 as Tom and Nick approach it on their way to pick up Myrtle Wilson at her husband's garage. The Valley of Ashes is described as being a dirty place with many factories and buildings.

Lioba Queyrel

Professional

How does the Valley of Ashes relate to the American Dream?

The valley of ashes symbolizes the corruption and repercussions of materialism in America. Its inhabitants represent those trapped in their pursuit of the American Dream while the rich indulge themselves in the East and West Egg.

Costica Herbeck

Explainer

Where is the Valley of Ashes located in The Great Gatsby?

What Is the Valley of Ashes in The Great Gatsby? The valley of ashes is the depressing industrial area of Queens that is in between West Egg and Manhattan. It isn't actually made out of ashes, but seems that way because of how gray and smoke-choked it is.

Zhongyi Vasyurin

Explainer

What is Myrtle's American Dream in The Great Gatsby?

Myrtle believes she can achieve the American Dream by marrying wealth and acting as if she is in a higher social class. success through unacceptable means. is involved in organized crime. Organized crime is how he gets his wealth to pursue the American Dream.

Mostapha Bestujev-Lada

Explainer

What overlooks the valley of ashes What might they symbolize?

The valley of ashes is the land between NYC and West Egg. It symbolizes the working class. A billboard with a pair of bright blue eyes wearing glasses looks over the valley of ashes. They symbolize the wealthy, bright, vibrant life looking down on the working class.

Miron Lillan

Pundit

What does the color green mean in the Great Gatsby?

Traditionally, green is associated with wealth, growth, Spring etc. It is also used to convey envy. Gatsby is thus shown to be an envious character as he is jealous of the fact that Daisy belongs to another man (Tom). Green is also used to represents the power of money which Gatsby has plenty of.

Egidia Gabel

Pundit

What does Nick say about the valley of ashes?

Nick says, This is a valley of ashes -- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like what into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.

Wioletta Natxitube

Pundit

What is the simile that is used to talk about the valley of ashes?

Fitzgerald uses a simile when he makes a comparison of the Valley of Ashes to “a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens” (21). The use of the word, “ashes,” has negative connotations because ashes are associated with death.

Jamie Auriol

Pundit

What are the symbols in the Great Gatsby?

Green Color
It symbolizes the bulk of wealth which Gatsby earns to win Daisy back in life. It is the symbol of death too, as Michalis describes the car that kills Myrtle as a green light, though, it is a yellow car. The green light thus represents the false status of dream and hope that win nothing for Gatsby.

Jessyca Guillaume

Pundit

How does Gatsby symbolize the American Dream?

In a way, Gatsby represents the American Dream because he came from 'nothing' into wealth, power, and privilege. Of course, we know he earned much of his financial assets from illegal activities. That part of Gatsby cannot be considered the American Dream.

Cozmin Errer

Teacher

What do colors symbolize in The Great Gatsby?

The major colors in The Great Gatsby include green, white, red, yellow, blue and grey. Green is closely associated with the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. It symbolizes Gatsby's deep love to Daisy and his American Dream. Second, it symbolizes luxury and greed when the author describes Daisy as a golden woman.

Marquis Kusiel

Teacher

Why are Doctor TJ eckleburg's eyes blue?

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg and the diagnostic gaze as moral authority in The Great Gatsby. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose.

Rayane Engelhoven

Teacher

What does the clock represent in The Great Gatsby?

The clock symbolizes the passage of time, and Gatsby wants to turn back time because in the five years since he has seen Daisy, she has married Tom and had a child. If he could destroy the clock, he would be able to turn back time.

Nedka Eknath

Teacher

What is the significance of the last line in The Great Gatsby?

In The Great Gatsby, the last sentence reads: So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. This refers to the dualities of Gatsby and America. At the end of the novel, Nick aligns himself Gatsby.

Domnino Abades

Reviewer

What does Daisy symbolize in The Great Gatsby?

Daisy Buchanan. To Gatsby, Daisy represents the paragon of perfection—she has the aura of charm, wealth, sophistication, grace, and aristocracy that he longed for as a child in North Dakota and that first attracted him to her. In reality, however, Daisy falls far short of Gatsby's ideals.

Judson Menasalvas

Reviewer

What are 5 words that reflect the valley of ashes?

The words that describe desolation of the valley of ashes are: invisible, obscure,solemn, borough, dismal, endlessly and desolate. Their effect is to give an unlively feel almost dreamlike.

Nacer Herrbruck

Reviewer

Why does Tom punch Myrtle in face?

Tom hits Myrtle because she refused to obey him, but also in defense of Daisy; he feels strongly about both women. Tom's outburst therefore shows that he has difficulty handling complex emotions. He responds with violence to maintain control.

Avigail Barsauter

Reviewer

How does the valley of ashes compare to West Egg and East Egg?

West Egg is the poor side of town. East Egg is where the wealthy elite live. The Valley of Ashes separates West Egg from New York City. This location symbolizes moral decay as it's filled with ash from the city's industry, as well as the scene of the crime that takes place at the end of the novel.