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“Grotesque” and “fantastic” are both words used to describe the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2:
This is a valley of ashes — a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.
The repetition here signifies Gatsby’s current place of humble beginnings. The fact that they “haunt” him illustrates his hyper-awareness of his social position and desperation to escape.
However, his conceits, or dreams of self-improvement, are constantly on his mind, even so much as to make him lose sleep. He continues to get lost in his imagination with obsessive dreams of grandeur.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
The “moth” imagery is significant because it conveys a sort of unconsciousness that Gatsby’s party guests embody. Insects are traditionally viewed as unintelligent followers, traveling about without a specific purpose or reason. Likewise, the people attending Gatsby’s parties are overall superficial, bouncing around without purpose.
Furthermore, moths are particularly significant because they are tragic creatures; they move toward light for a sense of security, only to find that the light source is actually a harbinger of death. Comparing Gatsby’s guests to moths implies that they are attracted to the brightness of the party’s extravagance, yet unknowingly leading themselves towards self-destruction. An example can be seen later in the text when ‘Owl Eyes’ crashes his car.
Notice how the term ‘men and girls’ is used. It may suggest that; 1) gentlemen bring their mistresses to the party or 2) the gender inequality that was happening in the time period, that men are higher than women.
Another thing is that moths naturally go to the light to find other moths for breeding. Before humans created light sources, they would only go to the light of the moon. So going towards the light in pursuit of having fun (aka getting laid) and then getting destroyed once they get too close.
Gatsby’s guests are also similar to moths in their behaviour and traits; they are typically nocturnal and ephemeral in that their empty pursuit of pleasure is short lived.
Also as soon as there is no light, moths or other insects leave searching for other light. This refers to chapter 9 when no one of the people who were coming to Gatsby’s parties actually goes to his funeral. It shows how Gatsby’s the light that is turned off – dead.
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gatsby has a real pest problem, and should seek local pest exterimination authorities
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note the phrase “men and girls” as well (not men and women -> imply the mistresses the gentlemen are bringing with them)