Nick’s account of the valley of ashes incorporates some very vivid visual imagery that helps to further enhance the morose feeling. “This is a valley of ashes-a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens” (23). The only fantastic part of the valley of ashes comes from the plethora of ashes that rise like smoke through the town. These ashes not only rise like smoke, but because of their abundance, they can “take the form of houses and chimneys” (23). Due to all the ashes, Nick views this place as a wasteland and ruin where “men move dimly,” and walk “crumbling through the powdery air” (23). Here, in this place, men have no purpose and just walk sorrowfully through this wretched stretch of land.
