What is the valley of ashes?

The valley of ashes is a desolate land located between West Egg and East Egg in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby". It is described as a bleak, industrial wasteland covered in ash and dust, with no signs of life, except for the occasional passing car or train.

The valley of ashes serves as a symbolic representation of the moral and social decay that lurks beneath the facade of wealth and privilege in the world of the novel. It is a place where the consequences of the pursuit of material wealth and social status are laid bare, with its residents trapped in a cycle of poverty, despair, and decay.

The valley of ashes is also a stark contrast to the opulence and grandeur of West Egg and East Egg, highlighting the divide between the wealthy elite and the working class. It is a place where the American Dream has been corrupted, and where the illusion of prosperity is shattered.

Overall, the valley of ashes serves as a powerful symbol of the darker side of the American Dream and the consequences of unchecked ambition and greed. It is a haunting reminder of the price that is paid for the pursuit of wealth at all costs.