The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg

The first time we see Doctor T.J. Eckleburg's eyes is in chapter 2; they are a pair of eyes painted on a billboard in the valley of ashes. Because these eyes are mentioned in several significant moments of the novel, it is clear that they symbolize something. However, because nothing is explicitly said about the eyes what they symbolize is unclear. The author suggests that symbols only have meaning because people place them meaning. A great example is a rose. Most people say that a rose symbolizes love but actually there is nothing said explicitly on the rose indicating it does so. In the end, it is just a rose. It is seen as a symbol of love because people place that meaning into the rose. Due to this reason the author avoids giving a clear meaning to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. It is an 'empty' symbol waiting to be filled by people. It will become a symbol when people start placing meanings into it.