The usage of the word holocaust in the last paragraph relates to many of the thematic elements of the book. This passage, written before the Holocaust, uses the word in a way in which readers now would find confusing. Holocaust by definition means a a burnt offering to god. The way Fitzgerald uses this word can be interpreted to mean that Gatsby and Wilson’s death was all a sacrifice to god, in this case, T.J ecckleburg, who lives in the valley of ashes. The valley of ashes is a symbol of two things: poverty, and the after life. Therefore, Fitzgerald could have used this passage to mean that no one escapes poverty, and that even though Gatsby became rich he still returned to poverty, and Wilson, who finally left the valley of ashes to kill Gatsby, still returned in the end. They both returned as a sacrifice to Eckleburg, and unless born into wealth, you cannot escape poverty.
The word “holocaust”
November 8, 2010
I agree with the valley of ashes is indicating poverty and I believe that it symbolizes the downside of Gatsby. I don’t agreed that if one’s not born to wealth, he will never escape from poverty. Gatsby is a great example. He earns his money by himself. He didn’t get anything from his parents. Yet, he is wealthy and he is rich. What he did wrong is he did not follow the American Dream and wasted his time on Daisy.