Many writers incorporate symbols in their literary works to help readers better understand the themes of the novel. Symbolism is a device that an author uses to present a greater meaning behind a character or place, rather than making it obvious. In The Great Gatsby, author F. Scott Fitzgerald focuses on the pursuit of the American dream while George Orwell’s 1984 focuses on the danger of totalitarianism. Both authors use symbols to emphasize their themes. Fitzgerald uses different colours and the Valley of Ashes to connect with the American Dream. Similarly, Orwell’s portrait of a totalitarian society is supported by symbols such as the telescreen and glass paperweight.
Colours describe the physical property of an object, but in The Great …show more content…
The Valley of Ashes is the representation of poverty. It also represents the failure of pursuing the American dream. The location of the Valley of Ashes is in the midpoint of West Egg and New York. Nick details his impression of The Valley of Ashes as “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” (Fitzgerald 26). Nick sees it as absolute poverty and environmental destruction. Myrtle Wilson is the wife of George Wilson who owns an auto shop in The Valley of Ashes. Myrtle is desperately looking to improve her situation. Her answer to a better life is having an affair with Tom, who is very wealthy and successful. Towards the end of the novel, Gatsby and Tom get into an argument and Gatsby leaves with Daisy in his yellow car. On their way home, Myrtle runs out into the street because she mistaken the driver as Tom. Daisy happens to be the driver of Gatsby’s yellow car and is distracted by the fight that occurred earlier, which results in her losing control of the car and colliding into Myrtle, causing her death. Myrtle’s attempt to improve her standards of living ends in an ironic way. She tries to have a love affair with a rich and wealthy man, but ends up getting killed by Gatsby’s yellow car, which is a product of the American dream. Myrtle’s unsuccessful attempt to leave The Valley of Ashes shows the careless nature of the pursuit of the American dream. Furthermore, The Valley of Ashes also represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited chase of wealth. Nick introduces the readers to The Valley of Ashes, writing that , “The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and when the drawbridge is up to let
Colours describe the physical property of an object, but in The Great …show more content…
The Valley of Ashes is the representation of poverty. It also represents the failure of pursuing the American dream. The location of the Valley of Ashes is in the midpoint of West Egg and New York. Nick details his impression of The Valley of Ashes as “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” (Fitzgerald 26). Nick sees it as absolute poverty and environmental destruction. Myrtle Wilson is the wife of George Wilson who owns an auto shop in The Valley of Ashes. Myrtle is desperately looking to improve her situation. Her answer to a better life is having an affair with Tom, who is very wealthy and successful. Towards the end of the novel, Gatsby and Tom get into an argument and Gatsby leaves with Daisy in his yellow car. On their way home, Myrtle runs out into the street because she mistaken the driver as Tom. Daisy happens to be the driver of Gatsby’s yellow car and is distracted by the fight that occurred earlier, which results in her losing control of the car and colliding into Myrtle, causing her death. Myrtle’s attempt to improve her standards of living ends in an ironic way. She tries to have a love affair with a rich and wealthy man, but ends up getting killed by Gatsby’s yellow car, which is a product of the American dream. Myrtle’s unsuccessful attempt to leave The Valley of Ashes shows the careless nature of the pursuit of the American dream. Furthermore, The Valley of Ashes also represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited chase of wealth. Nick introduces the readers to The Valley of Ashes, writing that , “The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and when the drawbridge is up to let