Great Gatsby Valley Of Ashes Analysis
Keneda Arvizu
English- Litos
Period 8
Due 10/27/15
The Great Gatsby; The Valley of Ashes
What is the valley of ashes and why is it called that? The valley of ashes is located between the Eggs and New York. The valley of ashes is first introduced to us in chapter two. If it already doesn’t sound horrible enough, it is also described as a dark place in the book. “This is a valet of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges an 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. Occasionally a line of grey cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak and comes to rest…”, (chapter 2, page 27). I believe the valley isn’t literally what it is said to be but a …show more content…
He based it off the time it was made and the type of people and lifestyles they all lived. Everyone in that time craved to live an extraordinary life filled with money. Since everyone was struggling to reach that goal, many spent their time in parties, drinking alcohol, (which at the time was illegal), just to keep their mind off the real world. Many of the relationships and marriages in the book were failures. Right from the beginning of the book, we are shown the uncertainty of wanting to be in a committed relationship. Not just the men but also the women are this way seeking attention, gifts, and things their spouse cannot provide. This is all relating to the themes of society, class, love and the vision of America. The married couples that are together make themselves seem perfect for a show, and attend events, parties, and “live the life” when in reality that is not what it is. Fitzgerald shows us this early in the book to emphasis the importance and how serious situations were in the book. He shows all of this greatly throughout the
English- Litos
Period 8
Due 10/27/15
The Great Gatsby; The Valley of Ashes
What is the valley of ashes and why is it called that? The valley of ashes is located between the Eggs and New York. The valley of ashes is first introduced to us in chapter two. If it already doesn’t sound horrible enough, it is also described as a dark place in the book. “This is a valet of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges an 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. Occasionally a line of grey cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak and comes to rest…”, (chapter 2, page 27). I believe the valley isn’t literally what it is said to be but a …show more content…
He based it off the time it was made and the type of people and lifestyles they all lived. Everyone in that time craved to live an extraordinary life filled with money. Since everyone was struggling to reach that goal, many spent their time in parties, drinking alcohol, (which at the time was illegal), just to keep their mind off the real world. Many of the relationships and marriages in the book were failures. Right from the beginning of the book, we are shown the uncertainty of wanting to be in a committed relationship. Not just the men but also the women are this way seeking attention, gifts, and things their spouse cannot provide. This is all relating to the themes of society, class, love and the vision of America. The married couples that are together make themselves seem perfect for a show, and attend events, parties, and “live the life” when in reality that is not what it is. Fitzgerald shows us this early in the book to emphasis the importance and how serious situations were in the book. He shows all of this greatly throughout the