https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71 Analysis of the billboard in the valley of ashes en-us 2021-04-16 12:56:07 UTC 2024-06-20 16:18:30 UTC hello@padlet.com 22cbond https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425196599  It could be equated that the eyes on the billboard are the eyes of the rich looking down upon the poor, profiting off their backs, and sneering at their struggle. Once invested in the profit being made in the valley of ashes, but having secured their money, left it behind. "Some wild wag of an oculist set them there to fatten his practice in the borough of Queens, and then sank down himself into eternal blindness, or forgot them and moved away" (ch II, pg 24).]]> 2021-04-16 13:02:29 UTC https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425196599 22cbond https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425834580 The eyes symbolize the eyes of God staring sadly down at his creation that has lost its humanity. The  Valley of Ashes, representing the waste left behind in the wake of the wealthy, is the poorest representation of society, and the most vile. The eyes of God stare down at it in disgust, which is why the eyes disturb Nick so much, because he still holds onto some semblance of humanity, and he feels the penetrating gaze of the eyes all throughout his time in the Valley of Ashes. "But his eyes, dimmed a little by paintless days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground." (ch II, pg 24)]]> 2021-04-16 15:14:09 UTC https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425834580 22cbond https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425868066 A third interpretation of the symbolism behind the eyes is the degradation of the American Dream. The life that Tom and Daisy live is the exact opposite of the American Dream, the dream that if you work hard enough you can become anything. Tom and Daisy live life doing anything and everything the easiest way possible, lying cheating, and inheriting their way to the top. The eyes look upon the people in the Valley of Ashes working towards the American dream that they once believed in, having suffered and bled for the profit of the rich, a complete representation of the death of the American Dream. "But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust that drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes..." (ch II, pg 23).]]> 2021-04-16 15:20:57 UTC https://padlet.com/22cbond/hf6ryvcsdeqjcd71/wish/1425868066