Zahraa Kareem Taresh & Shahad Jawad Naser
Department of Kindergarten, College of Education for Women, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq & Department of Information Security, Faculty of Information Technology, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
Abstract
This paper seeks to analyze the symbolic significance of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes. These eyes, depicted as a pair of pale eyes on a large advertising billboard overlooking the valley of ashes, are representative of God. They peer down upon and pass judgment on American society, serving as a symbol for the erosion of spiritual values in the country. American life revolves around the pursuit of wealth, as demonstrated by the abundance of wealthy individuals, and a person’s success is measured by their possessions. It appears that God has forsaken America, leaving only Doctor T.J. Eckleburg as a silent observer, with his vacant eyes watching over those who have forgotten their spiritual values in the pursuit of materialistic gains. The connection between Doctor T. J. Eckleburg’s eyes and God is a product of George Wilson’s grieving state of mind. Nick also explores these concepts by envisioning Gatsby’s final thoughts as a somber contemplation on the emptiness of symbols and dreams. The eyes additionally come to represent the fundamental nature of the world and the arbitrary mental processes through which people attribute meaning to objects. This imagery implies that capitalism may have supplanted God. Ultimately, the eyes also convey the emptiness of the American Dream, symbolizing the loss of spiritual values in America. There is the notion that, in order to achieve the dream, individuals from humble origins must be willing to work hard and seize opportunities.
Keywords: Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, American Dream, Jazz Age, Capitalism, Symbol
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- Introduction
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, born on September 2, 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota, hailed from a lineage deeply rooted in early American history. His father, Edward Fitzgerald, traced his ancestry back to the Scotts and the Keys, families that had settled in the United States during the 17th century. Fitzgerald’s mother, Mary (Mc Quillan) Fitzgerald, brought a certain level of financial security and middle-class respectability to his upbringing, being the daughter of a prosperous wholesale grocer. The young Fitzgerald exhibited traits of intelligence, good looks, and ambition, making him the pride and joy of his parents, particularly his mother. However, despite his promising qualities, Fitzgerald carried with him the dual burdens of both his parents’ hopes for success and the illusions of social prosperity—a blend of realistic aspirations and romanticized yearnings for wealth—that would continue to shape his life throughout its entirety. Fitzgerald’s educational journey began at the St. Paul Academy, where his passion and talent for writing surfaced at a young age. At the age of 13, his detective stories were published in his high school newspaper, providing him with the encouragement to pursue writing more fervently, often at the expense of his academic responsibilities.
Following multiple revisions, Fitzgerald managed to secure a publishing deal with Scribner for his novel, known as This Side of Paradise, a year after its initial submission. The novel enjoyed immediate success, catapulting Fitzgerald to both wealth and fame. However, at the tender age of 21, Fitzgerald grappled with the fear of perishing in World War I without having his literary aspirations realized. Prompted by this anxiety, he hastily penned a novel titled The Romantic Egotist and submitted it for publication. Unfortunately, Charles Scribner’s rejected the manuscript but offered words of encouragement, suggesting that Fitzgerald resubmit the work after making revisions. It was in 1918, during his stationed assignment near Montgomery, Alabama, that Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, an enchanting 18-year-old who happened to be the daughter of a prominent Alabama Supreme Court Judge. Their love affair intensified Fitzgerald’s desire for literary success, yet despite his revised efforts, his novel was once again met with rejection. Consequently, Fitzgerald turned to the advertising industry as a stable means of income, hoping to secure a prosperous future and marry Zelda. However, Zelda, unwilling to wait for Fitzgerald’s ascent in the advertising field and subsist on his modest earnings, called off their engagement (Meyers, 1994, p. 145).
Following extensive revisions, Fitzgerald’s novel was accepted by Scribner under the title This Side of Paradise and published a year later. The novel achieved immediate and unprecedented success, catapulting Fitzgerald into the realms of wealth and fame almost overnight. However, their extravagant lifestyle led to excessive spending, surpassing Fitzgerald’s income. Consequently, Fitzgerald continually found himself ensnared in deep debt. To alleviate his financial burden and cover the costs of Zelda’s mental health treatment, Fitzgerald turned to writing short stories. In October 1921, their only child, Frances Scott (affectionately known as Scottie) Fitzgerald, was born. In 1922, Fitzgerald’s second novel, The Beautiful and the Damned, was published. The couple relocated to Great Neck, Long Island, in the same year, immersing themselves in a world of heavy drinking and all-night parties, a lifestyle that would serve as inspiration for Fitzgerald’s iconic work, The Great Gatsby. The distractions of their new environment hindered Fitzgerald’s progress on his third novel, and during this time, his alcohol consumption escalated, leading him down the path of alcoholism. His reputation as a heavy drinker contributed to the perception of him as an irresponsible writer, perpetuating the myth surrounding his character (Meyers, 1994, p. 189).
In 1924, Fitzgerald embarked on a journey to France, specifically to Valescure, where he penned his magnum opus, The Great Gatsby, which was subsequently published in 1925. This novel marked a significant advancement in Fitzgerald’s writing technique, showcasing a sophisticated structure and a meticulously controlled narrative perspective. With its exquisitely crafted prose, adept depiction of the Jazz Age, and incisive exploration of themes such as materialism, love, and the American Dream, The Great Gatsby achieved resounding acclaim. However, in April of both 1930 and 1931, Zelda experienced a severe mental breakdown and was admitted to the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. This marked the beginning of her institutionalization, as she remained a resident in various sanitariums for the remainder of her life (Meyers, 1994, p. 287).
- Literature Review
In Junaidi’s 2014 study, “Psychological Analysis of Jay Gatsby’s Life in The Great Gatsby” (Maslowian Lens), a psychological approach is employed to analyze the protagonist’s struggles using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Examining Gatsby through this framework reveals five levels of unmet needs contributing to his psychological turmoil: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. In essence, Junaidi argues that Gatsby’s pursuit of a life unattainable due to unfulfilled lower-level needs ultimately fuels his psychological distress.
In his 2017 work titled “The Meaning of Jay Gatsby’s View on Life as Seen in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby,” Christoforus Sigit Bramaditya undertakes an analysis of the protagonist’s perspective on life. Bramaditya employs a psychological approach drawing from Freudian theory, as well as character, characterization, and motivation theories. The study addresses two specific research questions. The findings of the analysis reveal Jay Gatsby as a character who possesses enigmatic qualities, engages in deception, exhibits snobbish behavior, harbors ambitious aspirations, and exudes self-assurance within the novel. Furthermore, while Gatsby’s literal aim in life centers around his longing to be with his former lover, Daisy, his true philosophy on life revolves around his relentless pursuit of a sense of belonging in what he perceives as his rightful place in the world. Gatsby’s perspective on life is rooted in his inherent need for belongingness and his quest to identify where he truly belongs or who he belongs with.
Fitzgerald, in The Great Gatsby, utilizes the dynamics of socioeconomic class to expose the inherent power imbalances within societal strata, particularly through the unequal relationship between Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson. Tom, a member of the privileged upper class, wields his economic dominance over Myrtle, a working-class woman, shaping their clandestine affair. This manifests in his financial patronage (e.g., the city apartment and luxuries), granting him leverage and control within the relationship. The physical brutality of Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose (Fitzgerald 40) further underscores his assertion of power and her vulnerability. Myrtle’s reliance on Tom’s resources for her lifestyle reinforces his dominant position, leaving her beholden to his whims and vulnerable to his potential withdrawal of support. This stark illustration of economic disparity highlights the intrinsic power dynamics inherent in class-based relationships, placing characters like Myrtle in a precarious and subjugated position.
According to Bo Lundahl’s assertion in Engelsk språkdidaktik (2009), fiction can serve as a valuable tool for students to gain insights into diverse historical, economic, and social contexts (p. 326). In light of this, The Great Gatsby presents itself as a suitable text for classroom analysis due to its detailed portrayal of the setting. Jill Bloomfield, in her work titled The Great Gatsby: Study Guide and Student Workbook (2010), emphasizes the significance of the novel’s setting. She poses a literary analysis question that highlights Fitzgerald’s meticulous depiction of West Egg and East Egg: “Fitzgerald is precise in his depictions of West Egg versus East Egg. What are the differences between these areas?” (p. 27). By utilizing these distinct areas, Fitzgerald effectively illustrates a society that is divided. Consequently, the juxtaposition of West Egg and East Egg can serve as an introductory exploration of segregated societies.
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- Discussion
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s renowned novel, The Great Gatsby, which was published in 1925, serves as a symbolic critique of the American experience, delving into the complexities of American history and the disillusionment associated with the corruption of the American dream. Throughout the narrative, Fitzgerald employs vivid descriptions to capture the essence of 1920s lifestyle. Using the character of Jay Gatsby, he draws a contrast between the genuine aspirations of the American dreamer and the distorted reality of American society during the 1920s. The Great Gatsby weaves a tale of a man’s pursuit to reclaim his lost love and rediscover the happiness that once defined his existence through the acquisition of wealth and material possessions. Jay Gatsby serves as a representative figure A typical American who firmly believes that great wealth equates to true happiness and fulfillment (Bruccoli, 2000, p. 162).
Fitzgerald possessed a distinctive writing style characterized by its lucidity, poeticism, vividness, and cleverness, effectively evoking the sentiments connected to specific temporal and spatial contexts. Central to Fitzgerald’s literary endeavors was the theme of aspiration, as he perceived idealism to be an inherent trait of the American character. Additionally, a prominent theme that permeated his body of work was the notion of mutability or the inevitable experience of loss. In his role as a social historian, Fitzgerald came to personify the spirit of the Jazz Age, as he aptly described in his essay “Echoes of the Jazz Age.” This era could be characterized as one marked by remarkable achievements and artistic expression, as well as excessive indulgence and a satirical outlook on society (Fitzgerald, 1931).
The conventional belief in the American dream asserts that diligent perseverance can empower individuals to achieve their aspirations and accumulate wealth and success. Nonetheless, the characters portrayed in the novel fail to grasp this concept, remaining oblivious to the potential of realizing the American dream through hard work. F. Scott Fitzgerald adeptly employs characters such as Jordan Baker, Jay Gatsby, and Tom Buchanan to epitomize the pervasive corruption and profound disillusionment that emerge when straying from the genuine essence of the American dream. Through their experiences, Fitzgerald sheds light on the affliction and despair that accompany the abandonment of the original ideals of the American dream (Trask, 2007, p. 71-72).
Gatsby embodies the relentless pursuit of the American Dream, a defining aspiration of many individuals during the 1920s. Having emerged from poverty, Gatsby relentlessly strives for a life of affluence and material possessions. His father’s disclosure to Nick about Gatsby’s meticulously crafted childhood plan for success reinforces Gatsby’s unwavering determination to transcend his humble beginnings. Gatsby’s shedding of his past identity, symbolized by his name change, marks his embarkation on a journey towards a more prosperous existence. This transformation mirrors the experiences of early American colonists who abandoned their traditional practices in pursuit of a better life in the New World. Gatsby’s accumulation of wealth, fueled by dubious means such as bootlegging and illicit securities trading, reflects the moral compromises made in the pursuit of the American Dream during the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby underscores the corruption that had infiltrated the American Dream, driven by the choices and behaviors of the 1920s generation.
During his time in the military, Gatsby develops strong feelings for the affluent Daisy, considering her to be the embodiment of his American dream. He makes significant efforts to win her over: “Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind? He was always great for that” (Fitzgerald, 1925, p.208). However, while Gatsby is away on duty, Daisy ends up marrying Tom Buchanan, a wealthy man who can provide for her financially. It is only after losing her that Gatsby realizes the time he spent with Daisy was the happiest period of his life. He comes to the conclusion that he can only win back Daisy’s affection by acquiring wealth, leading him to engage in disreputable activities for years in the hope that his riches will ultimately reunite them. Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status is distinct in his relentless connection to his love for Daisy, a characteristic that is underscored by Nick throughout the novel.
And as the moon rose higher the inessential houses began to melt away until gradually I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes-a fresh, green breast of the new word…. And as I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out Daisy’s light at the end of his dock. He had come such a long way to this blue lawn, an behind his dream must have seemed so close he could hardly fail to grasp it. But what he did not know was that it was already behind him, somewhere in the vast obscurity beyond the city, where the dark fields of the republic rolled on under the night. (Fitzgerald, 1923, p. 180)
Gatsby’s existence served as a representation of its own, and his realization that once he had Daisy in his embrace, Gatsby’s life is reflected in his novel. The novelist’s realization that Daisy, whom he had once in his arms and the allure that had surrounded her is now vanished, mirrors the widespread belief among Americans that wealth brings happiness. To some extent, Gatsby found the pursuit of reuniting with Daisy exhilarating; yet, when he eventually won her love, that pursuit came to an end. Despite Gatsby and Daisy reviving their romance, she rejects him upon learning how he acquired his fortune. She is too shallow and superficial to give up the high-society life with Tom, which is socially acceptable, for Gatsby’s unacceptable love. Gatsby erred in assuming that by amassing material possessions he could win back Daisy. Ultimately, Gatsby meets his collapse because he seeks more from life and loves Daisy, leading him to shoulder the blame, demonstrating that he pays the ultimate price for losing sight of the true essence of the American dream. Fitzgerald’s commentary on the American dream is evident here, as Gatsby perishes in his pursuit of achieving his dream of winning back Daisy. It was this dream that propelled him from poverty to affluence and ultimately to his demise.
The subsequent instance of T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes emerging coincides with Tom, Nick, and Jordan pausing at Wilson’s garage en route to Manhattan, as they prepare to confront Daisy and Gatsby.
We were all irritable now with the fading ale and, aware of it, we drove for a while in silence. Then as Doctor T. J. Eckleburg’s faded eyes came into sight down the road, I remembered Gatsby’s caution about gasoline….That locality was always vaguely disquieting, even in the broad glare of afternoon, and now I turned my head as though I had been warned of something behind. Over the ashheaps the giant eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg kept their vigil but I perceived, after a moment, that other eyes were regarding us with peculiar intensity from less than twenty feet away. (Fitzgerald, 1923, p.163)
On this occasion, the presence of the eyes serves as a signal to Nick that something is amiss. Initially, he assumes the issue is a dwindling fuel supply in the car, but it is later revealed that the actual predicament at the garage pertains to George Wilson discovering Myrtle’s extramarital affair. Nick’s initial fixation on the billboard’s “vigil” is promptly confounded by the sight of Myrtle peering at the car from the room where George has confined her. Myrtle is engaged in her own form of vigil, gazing out the window at what she believes to be Tom’s yellow car, her anticipated rescuer, and also directing a hostile stare at Jordan under the mistaken belief that Jordan is Daisy. The term “vigil” holds significance in this context. Conventionally, it denotes staying awake for religious observance or maintaining a watchful eye during a tense and momentous period. However, in this instance, neither of these connotations is entirely fitting, and the word is employed in a sarcastic manner.
- Conclusion
A prominent emblem within the novel is the billboard eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, which symbolize the erosion of spiritual principles in America. These eyes serve as a representation of the burgeoning commercialism of the nation, portraying life in America as solely driven by the pursuit of wealth, exemplified by affluent figures such as Tom Buchanan. A person’s accomplishments are evaluated based on their monetary wealth rather than their moral character. Similar to the spiritual values of America, the billboard reflects the absence of traditional American virtues, which Nick Carraway seeks to reconnect with upon his return to the Mid-West. In the East, these old-fashioned values are entirely lacking, giving the impression that God has forsaken America, with only Dr. T.J. Eckleburg remaining, peering down with vacant eyes at individuals who have left aside their spiritual principles in favor of attaining material prosperity.
Furthermore, the eyes serve as a symbol of the moral decay experienced by the population of America. Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes peer down at the central characters as they traverse beneath the billboard en route to New York City, where Tom engages in extramarital relations, where Gatsby escorts Nick to meet Wolfshiem, the individual implicated in fixing the World Series, and where Daisy hurries off in search of excitement with her former lover, Gatsby. The eyes appear to disapprove of these characters’ actions, with Wilson likening T.J.’s eyes to the gaze of God.
Ultimately, the eyes also symbolize the emptiness of the American Dream. The notion that an individual of modest beginnings could realize the Dream through hard work and seizing opportunities is prevalent. This is exemplified in the pursuits of Gatsby and Myrtle, involving bootlegging and adultery, respectively. Nevertheless, the disapproving gaze of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg reminds one of the Valley of Ashes, seemingly conveying the notion that the American Dream is fundamentally unattainable—a grand falsehood. While the American Dream yields riches for a select few (like Gatsby), for the majority, their aspirations for prosperity are akin to ashes. The truth is that not everyone can amass wealth akin to the Buchanans; for every Buchanan, there exist multitudes like Wilson. The concept that everyone can achieve the dream is but a mere fantasy. For most, life mirrors the nightmare of the Valley of the Ashes, upon which the Eyes cast their perpetual frown.
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