Who Is Dr. T.J Eckleburg?

           When the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg are first introduced in the book the reader does not know these eyes are on a billboard. Nick talks about these eyes creating an eerie image around them before mentioning that they are actually on a billboard. This writing technique makes the reader realize that these eyes symbolize more than just an old, forgotten oculist’s billboard. The eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburgm “dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground” (p.26). These eyes stared down into the valley of ashes where they witnessed the corruption taking place in this “solemn dumping ground.”
           These eyes represent the loss of religious values during the 20s and can be referred to as being the eyes of God them self. George Wilson explicitly points out the eyes as being a symbol for God when he tells Myrtle, “God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me, but you can’t fool God!” (p.152) When Wilson utters this it is clear to Michaelis that he is in fact staring at the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg. Both the eyes and these religious views have been neglected in New York and it was all for material wealth. These eyes stare down on the poor people in the valley of ashes on a daily basis, showing that even though they have been unfortunate in establishing a high class for themselves, God is still watching over them.