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Theme

Statement

Theme Statement

Conclusion

The downfall of society is unavoidable when surrounded by corruption.

The Valley of Ashes

The downfall of society is unavoidable when surrounded by corruption. This is shown through the contrast between rich and poor, the sad atmosphere of the valley of ashes and the direct examples of the foreshadowing of corruption.

in The Great Gatsby

The downfall of society (explanation)

Example 1:

Contrast between rich and poor (quote)

The location of the valley of ashes is also significant in this context because the valley of ashes is in the middle of two rich areas. This makes is unavoidable; you need to pass through the valley of ashes to get to and from West Egg and New York. Ths represents the unavoidable doom that awaits Gatsby. It can also be tied into the great depression and what occurred after the partying of the roaring 20s. This is the fate that awaits after the roaring 20s, also after Gatsby dies.

The valley of ashes can also be seen as a glimpse of what the rich people will need to live though once the great depression hits. It can also represent the downgrading of the imgae of the rich characters. The scenes that take place in the valley of ashes show a more vulnerable side of the characters because they are not surrounded by the comfort of their rich lives.

"“About half way between West Egg and New York the motor road hastily joins the railroad and runs beside it for a quarter mile, so as to shrink away from a certain desolate area of land. This is the valley of ahses-a fantastic farm where ahes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gradens;where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke…..” (p.23)

Bibliography

Example 3: The downfall of society

Contrast between rich and poor (explanation)

"Background Image." Theatre of Dreams. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://theatreofdreams.ru/history/171-futbol-eto-zhizn.html>.

"Erie Railroad Station." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susquehanna_(Erie_Railroad_station)>.

"Money Vortex." Silver Bear Cafe. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://www.silverbearcafe.com/private/02.12/stages.html>.

"Rich vs Poor (edited)." Mexico City Aerial | Adam Wiseman. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://adamwiseman.photoshelter.com/image/I00000z3QFRibUIU>.

"Sinking Statue of Liberty." Trunews:. N.p., 12 June 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://www.trunews.com/derivatives-collapse-biblical-proportions-looms-system-collapse-1-hour/>.

"Societal Collapse." Before It's News. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://beforeitsnews.com/self-sufficiency/2014/04/who-will-be-the-most-important-people-after-societal-collapse-2474102.html>.

"Tree Photo." 25dip. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://25dip.com/sad-pictures/>.

The valley of ashes shows contrast between rich and poor. It is located between West Egg and New York (as mentioned in the previous quote) and its location is significant because it is right in the middle of two rich areas,which shows contrast.

The meeting between Tom and Myrtle in the valley of ashes show contrast because Tom is rich and myrtle is poor and Tom's wealth influences how he treats myrtle and how he has more power over her due to his wealth.

"Well, first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back. The second my hand reached the wheel i felt the shock-it must have killed her instantly" (p.143-144)

The Sad Atmosphere (explanation)

Example 2: The sad atmosphere

(quote)

In the previous quote death is, in this case, the valley of ashes. This is significant because it foreshadows the incident in which myrtle dies due to Gatsby and Daisy's recklessness .

This is yet another tragic incident that occurs in the valley of ashes and reinforces the sad atmosphere that is present in the valley of ashes; there has been not one positive occurrence in the valley of ashes.

The initial description of the valley of ashes also portrays the sad and gloomy atmosphere. Everything is described as being made of ashes and there is no mention of colour other than grey and black.

“So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight.” (p.136)

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