In the time period of the 1920’s where the book takes place there is the concept of the “American Dream”.The eyes stare down on the characters as they disregard their morals and judge them for their careless behavior. ‘That’s an advertisement,’ Michaelis assured him.(Pg.159-161) Eckleburg, which had just emerged, pale and enormous, from the dissolving night. “Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock that he was looking at the eyes of Doctor T.J. This is shown in his conversation with Michaelis.
After Myrtle is killed in the car accident Wilson relates the eyes of T.J.Nick also thinks of the eyes as watchful and all knowing he says, “The giant eyes of Doctor T.J.They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose.” (Pg.23)
An advertisement for an oculist’s practice they are described in the Great Gatsby as, “blue and gigantic- their retinas are one yard high. They are a pair of eyes on a sign in the valley of ashes, an area about half way between West Egg and New York. Eckleburg as referenced throughout the Great Gatsby.