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3H

In order to enter the city, drivers had to pass through the Valley of Ashes, a

fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into the ridge and hills and grotesque

gardens (23). Here lie the factories that constantly feed the materialistic demands

of the Big Apple. The citys upper class lived without considering all of the work

others put in to support the citys need for energy and lavish products. Living in the

Valley of Ashes is Tom Buchanans mistress, Myrtle Wilson. Despite being a plain

woman at home, she transforms once she enters the city. While she would normally

be considered a lower-class citizen, she puts up a front and told her city friends

that she has to keep after [the help] all the time (32). The perceived money and

the faade of the dream brought out a nasty, prejudiced side of Myrtle.

4L

In order to enter the city, drivers have to pass through the Valley of Ashes, a

fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into the ridge and hills and grotesque

gardens (23). Here lie the factories that constantly feed the materialistic demands

of the Big Apple. The citys upper class live without considering all of the work

others put in to support the citys need for energy and lavish products. Living in the

Valley of Ashes is Tom Buchanans mistress, Myrtle Wilson. Despite being a plain

woman at home, she transforms once she enters the city. The perceived money and

the faade of the dream bring out a nasty, prejudiced side of Myrtle. For example,

when she is with Tom in the city, she puts up a front and tells her city friends that

she has to keep after [the help] all the time (32). Myrtles escape into the city

gives her a glimpse of the American Dream, but it also corrupts her nature.

4H

In order to enter the city, drivers have to pass through the Valley of Ashes, a

place Nick describes as a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into the ridge

and hills and grotesque gardens (23). The ashes here are suggestive of the

industry and hard labour required to power the American Dream. Indeed, here lie

the factories and power plants that constantly light up New York and feed the

materialistic demands of those chasing the American Dream. The citys upper

classes reap the benefits of other peoples hard work, while those who live in the

valley must look outward in envy at those who pass through the valley each day.

This jealousy is best illustrated by valley of ashes citizen, Myrtle Wilson--Tom

Buchanans mistress. Despite being a plain woman at home, she transforms once

she enters the city. When she is with Tom in the city, she gets to pretend she is a

part the upper classes, but her presence there is only a faade. In fact, her best

dress at home becomes just a crazy old thing (31) at her city party. Myrtlesescape into the city gives her a glimpse of the American Dream, but it also corrupts

her nature, exposing her nasty, prejudiced side. For example, she tells her city

friends that she has to keep after [the help] all the time (32). In this way, those

who are in the wake of the American Dreamthe Wilsons and others in the

Valley of Ashessuffer more than those who appear to possess the Dream, because

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not only do they have strive for the dream, they must also provide it for others like

Tom.