In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbols to depict the corruption and decadence of the era. The main symbols in the novel are the green light, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, the Valley of Ashes, and the sterile, lifeless quality of the East Egg.
The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's hopeless love for Daisy and his desperate attempt to win her back. It also symbolizes the American Dream, as Gatsby's pursuit of the green light mirrors the pursuit of success and happiness. However, the green light is ultimately unattainable, as Gatsby's love for Daisy is unrequited and the American Dream is corrupted by the selfish and immoral actions of those who seek it.
The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, which are depicted on a faded advertising billboard in the Valley of Ashes, symbolize the loss of moral values in the post-World War I era. The eyes are described as "blue and gigantic—their retinas are one yard high," and they seem to watch over the characters as they engage in their immoral behavior. The billboard is situated between West Egg and New York City, suggesting that the eyes symbolize a sort of divine judgment on the characters' actions.
The Valley of Ashes, a desolate, industrial area between West Egg and New York City, symbolizes the moral and spiritual decay of the characters. The valley is described as "a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens," suggesting that the characters' corruption has led to a sort of moral wasteland.
The sterile, lifeless quality of the East Egg, where the wealthy and established characters reside, also symbolizes the moral decay of the era. The characters who live in East Egg, such as Tom and Daisy, are described as "careless people" who are indifferent to the suffering of others and only concerned with their own pleasure and status.
Overall, the symbols in "The Great Gatsby" depict the corruption and decadence of the post-World War I era and the characters' moral decline. Through these symbols, Fitzgerald suggests that the pursuit of wealth and success can lead to a hollow, meaningless existence.
