In the first two chapters of the Great Gatsby, there is a constant thematic conflict between cynicism and romanticism. Nick seems to represent the idea of a cynic, yet he is a cynic who has been cynical through his life based on his upbringing and experiences, in places such as his college where he was judged for this very sense of cynicism. The way that he interprets feelings, such as thinking that he loved Jordan in that one moment, or when he knew that his previous entanglement had to be “tactfully broken off before he was free” seem to show a sense of inexperience and Nick’s robotic nature of interpreting feelings. He is the type of man to go on a date and worry about how his potential significant other and himself could not have a working relationship, more so than how a sense of love could grow. However, Nick’s cynicism is interesting in that he is able to detach himself completely from situations where he feels nowhere at home; he may reserve from passing judgments out loud, but he does pass judgments in his head subtly. Fitzgerald refuses to explicitly depict Nick’s opinion for several parts of the first two chapters, but on occasions such as Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose, it is clear to the reader from the voice used that Nick holds a certain opinion about these type of events.

Romanticism

The white dresses

When Nick runs into the two ladies at the Buchanan’s house, the description of the setting contribute to the sublime interpretation that we see from Nick. The use of the white dresses, the gleaming white windows, the frosted wedding cake of the ceiling, and the use of nature creates this almost Renaissance like depiction of the scene; one full of emotion, feelings, beauty and the eye’s appreciation. Nick perceives this as being somewhat angelic, seeing the two women as he walks into the beautiful room, and how everything seems as though it would float up onto the ceiling in a dream of sorts. However, the tension here between the cynicism and the romanticism once more finds itself in the form of Tom shutting the windows closed, and how everything seems to slowly come back down to the ground; in other words, a snap back to the reality of the situation. It shows the stark contrast of the romanticised lives of the privileged few, as compared to the kind of atmosphere that Nick brings in; he, in a sense, is the snap back to reality.

The green light

Similarly, the green light on the far end of the lake that Gatsby points his arms towards and trembles towards just happens to be where Daisy’s house is; a sense of romanticised desire, in the fervour of Gatsby’s actions. Nick understands the green light as a symbolic object for Gatsby, without even knowing him, and it signifies a strong sense of hope on the part of Gatsby. Since Daisy and Tom’s house and their life symbolises power, money and the American Dream to some extent as well, it also signifies Gatsby’s desire to be up there with the top dogs in society. It is romantic in that it allows one to hope, rather than question the consequences of such fervent desire.

Cynicism

The valley of ashes

The valley of ashes once again contributes to the cynical tone of the novel that Fitzgerald tries to communicate through Nick. Being the link from the posh Long Island houses to the middle of the city, it signifies the lower end of society, and in a sense the dead aspirations and hope of a mass of society where only a lucky few were able to profit from a so called golden age – it would be important to remember that the Great Depression was a mere 4 years after this novel was written. The way that the ashes take the “forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke” and how “men who move dimly and” are “already crumbling through the powdery air” seem to suggest that while this might be a landfill, there may also be people who live down there; the outcasts of society. The way a valley slops down between two hills, seems to signify the idea of boom and bust; the Long Island houses and NYC are on the booms, while the valley sits low in the bust. All in all, the valley of ashes seems to show the true representation of society, before, now and forever; while the beautiful houses, clothes and scenic views may cover up the higher ends of society, the reality is that they are themselves no more than a valley of ashes, stepping on others to get higher up the food chain.

Eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg

The eyes of Dr. TJ Eckleburg serve as a wormhole into the future – for looking through them, into the valley of ashes, signals impending doom for the higher classes of society – as proven by the Great Depression. Secondly, the fact that the eyes have remained paintless for days or weeks seems to represent the vision that the higher ends of society will always hold of the view through which they are seeing through Eckleburg’s glasses, the valley of ashes. It seems to signify the idea that their opinions of those lower than them, while always stay the same – no matter what these people do, they will never be able to paint over the prejudice, opinionated behaviour of those that have achieved the American Dream in their minds. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes seem to serve as a symbol for some sort of moral higher being, perhaps God himself; looking down upon the moral wasteland that society has founded itself upon, and a criticism of the developing idea of consumerism.