George Wilson's Use Of Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

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“The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic-- their retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose” (Fitzgerald, 23). Although it is never said what the eyes represent, Fitzgerald, suggests that symbols only have meaning because the characters introduce them with meaning. Looking at the cover art, two naked bodies are seen in the eyes, which supports George Wilson’s idea of the eyes being “God like.” Also, the glasses rimmed around the eyes are yellow, which propose symbolism within a symbol. To each of the characters in the novel, the eyes mean something different. Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes are one of the most iconic symbols in both The Great Gatsby and the cover art because of the way that George Wilson compares them to God, the color of the glasses and the way that Nick views them.

George Wilson lives in the Valley of Ashes with his wife Myrtle. Early in the novel, the reader finds out that Tom Buchanan is having an affair with Myrtle. The affair is known by Daisy, however, it is not until the end of the book that George realizes what is truly going on. Before Myrtle is killed, Myrtle and George have an argument and George finally …show more content…
It is ironic because Mr. Wilson says that the eyes represent God, however, the rim of the glasses are yellow. The eyes are God only according to Mr. Wilson, it could be that it is a corrupt God looking over the Valley of Ashes. Mr. Wilson tells Myrtle that God is unable to be fooled which is true, nonetheless, a corrupt God is seen when Myrtle is killed because if God really did witness her promiscuous events with Tom he would never request revenge for the sins that she committed. It can be said that the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg had been viewing the sins of corruption for too long and was incapable of deciding what was right and
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