Doctor T.J. Eckleberg by Amanda Talbott https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m Billboard of yellow rim glasses and blue eyes en-us 2019-02-25 15:13:12 UTC 2019-03-01 14:30:58 UTC hello@padlet.com atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334893469 "The eyes of Doctor T. J. Ecklburg are blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose.  Evidently 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" (page 27-28).]]> 2019-02-25 15:18:18 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334893469 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334895935 "This is a valley of ashes-a fantastic 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" (page 27).]]> 2019-02-25 15:21:40 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334895935 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334898893 The valley of ashes represents the modern-day American Dream, in which the American Dream is essentially dying out. ]]> 2019-02-25 15:26:26 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334898893 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334902569 "When he saw us a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes." (page 29).]]> 2019-02-25 15:32:11 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334902569 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334903475 The blue in the bllboard's eyes represents hope filled eyes looking out to a prosperous future (yellow rimmed glasses), but time has passed and the hope that once filled those eyes have been dimmed by the reality of the American Dream.]]> 2019-02-25 15:33:35 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334903475 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334905617 The billboard showcasing Doctor T. J. Ecklburg's eyes is overlooking the valley of ashes.
"But above the grey land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Ecklburg." (page 27)
]]> 2019-02-25 15:36:59 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334905617 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334908816 2019-02-25 15:42:01 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334908816 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334911305 2019-02-25 15:45:56 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/334911305 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335722106 "I followed him over a low white-washed railroad fencing we walked back a hundred yards along the road under Doctor Eckleburg's persistent stare" (page 28).]]> 2019-02-27 02:29:05 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335722106 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335722729 Doctor Eckleburg's "persistent stare" watches over the valley of ashes and all the people who go through it. 
"They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Islan and somehow they ended up at Gatsby's door" (page 45).
]]> 2019-02-27 02:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335722729 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335724192 The people going to Gatsby's party has to drive through the "valley of ashes" to get to Gatsby's house. Just like Gatsby watches over his guests, so does the "persistent stare " of Doctor Eckleburg. The billboard watches people go through the town without a care for it, like some people don't care to pursue the American Dream.]]> 2019-02-27 02:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335724192 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335725205 "He had seen me several times and had intended to call on me long before but a peculiar combination of circumstances had prevented it -- signed Jay Gatsby in a majestic hand" (page 46). 
This quote further proves that Gatsby is watching over people like the billboard does. 
]]> 2019-02-27 02:46:07 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335725205 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335726829 "I turned around to my new acquaintance. 'This is an unusual party for me. I haven't even seen the host" (page 52). ]]> 2019-02-27 02:54:36 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335726829 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335727436 Nick doesn't realize he's talking to Gatsby, but has been "watching" Nick. In chapter 2, the gaze of the billboard eyes is always on the town even though people may not always realize it. 
" 'I live over there--' I waved my hand at the invisible hedge in the distance, ' and this man Gatsby sent over his chauffeur with an invitation.' For a moment he looked at me as if he failed to understand. 'I'm Gatsby,' he said suddenly" (page 52).
]]> 2019-02-27 02:58:01 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335727436 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335728242 " It faced-- or seemed to face-- the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor" (page 52).  ]]> 2019-02-27 03:02:42 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335728242 atalbott9002 https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335729073 Like the doctor's stare, Gatsby's stare seems to be focused in on the person, like how the American Dream can be focused on one group of people-- white males. ]]> 2019-02-27 03:07:20 UTC https://padlet.com/atalbott9002/xitn5ou5573m/wish/335729073