Scott Fitzgerald reveals attitudes, ideas and revelations of the roaring 20s. This novel, centered around the lifestyles of the wealthy, involves a love affair. Jay Gatsby, a rich man who made his money during prohibition, probably bootlegging and organized crime, falls in love with Daisy Buchanan, wife of Tom Buchanan. Tom and Daisy Buchanan also possess great wealth, but they inherited it and it has been in their family for years, where as Gatsby earned all his money. During the course of these affairs, many things go wrong as the people involved in this love triangle go through tribulations and problems. Many symbols appear during the novel, including the ever-watchful eyes of Dr. Eckleburg, and Daisy's green dock light, that Gatsby has stared at many nights.
Dr. Eckleburg's eyes watch over the Valley of Ashes. The valley of ashes is " a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys- (27) The eyes themselves " are blue and gigantic- (27) Tom's mistress, Myrtle, lives in the Valley of Ashes. In the novel, Tom cheats first on his wife, Daisy. When Tom cheats on Daisy, a chain reaction driven by jealousy and pain occurs in which Daisy in turn cheats on Tom and eventually, Daisy kills Myrtle with Gatsby's car. The Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg watch over this original sin. These eyes, like the eyes of God or any other higher power, watch over the sins of the Valley of Ashes. "God knows what you've been doing, everything you've been doing God sees everything." (167) And like God, Dr. Eckleburg's eyes watch over all the sins that occur in the dark vile, sinful Valley of Ashes. Soon after Wilson talks about God like this Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's eyes " just emerged pale and enormous from the dissolving night." (167) This appearance of Dr. Eckleburg's eyes after a statement about God further shows the symbolism of the eyes to God's eyes.
