My grand padlet by Max Garrett

Symbol

maxgarrett — 2025-09-19 15:58:04 UTC

The eyes of doctor eckleburg. The eyes symbolize the idea of judgement in the world where moral values do not exist. It highlights the lack of morality and empathy in the world. Some believe the eyes represent God's view of earth. The eye never stop looking which contrasts the belief that if you have enough money, you can get away with anything. The eyes loom over the valley of ashes, showing how the poor people are trapped, while the wealthy are living their best lives. The eyes of Doctor eckleburg are important because they connect and contrasts the novel's moral standard and what people believe wealth can do for them, vs. reality.

Quote 1

maxgarrett — 2025-09-19 16:03:00 UTC

"But above the grey land and the spasms of the bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg." Fitzgerald 23.

This quote is important because it introduces the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg, over looking the valley of ashes and contrasts that no matter what you do to try and hide your life differences and your poverty, people will always be able to tell.

Quote 2

maxgarrett — 2025-09-19 16:07:50 UTC

"This is the valley of ashes- a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens." Fitzgerald 23.

This quote describes what the poor people are trying to hide. It shows just how bad their living situation is and why they wouldn't want people to know. It also contrasts the moral decay of the wealthy, and the social neglect.

Quote 3

maxgarrett — 2025-09-19 16:12:33 UTC

"He gives large parties and i like large parties- they are so intimate. At mall parties there isn't any privacy." Fitzgerald 49.

This quote helps highlight that rich peoples morals are decaying because they admit that at large parties, it is easier to hide their true selves and act like someone else. It is an escape from reality for them. If people believe that the eyes of Doctor Eckleburg are similar to the eyes of god, what does this suggest about the eyes looking at these large parties.

Quote 4

maxgarrett — 2025-09-19 16:17:47 UTC

"The eyes of Doctor Eckleburg are blue and gigantic- their irises are one yad high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non existent nose." Fitzgerald 23.

This description of the eyes, is important because it emphasizes how no matter where you are, the eyes will always be watching. It's a tower of judgment over the entire world, that you cannot escape. As it says there is no face, feeds into people's belief that it is god looking down upon them.