The geography and weather in The Great Gatsby contribute greatly to theme, character, and plot development. There is an important relationship between the geography and the character's social values. The themes and characters can be dictated by geographical locations because the themes are embedded into the environments surrounding the characters. This reinforces character traits and helps to develop the themes. The weather predicts the nature of the novel's critical events, driving the plot. All of these factors contribute to creating a physical picture of the social values and the emotions in this novel.
             One of the best examples of a geographic location representing a theme is the Valley of Ashes. This desolate valley located between West Egg and New York City represents the reality of the moral decay of society in the 1920's. A product of industrial dumping and a by-product of capitalism, the only poor characters of the novel live here. The ugliness of the valley is hidden behind the facades of West and East Egg. The billboard of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg located in the valley accentuates this idea. This billboard contains a faded pair of eyes looking through a faded pair of eyeglasses. To the characters in the novel, this is a representation of God, or perhaps the lack of God in their lives. It is very clear that Wilson who lives in the valley sees this billboard as God in his life: "God knows what you've been doing... You may fool me, but you can't fool God!" (152). It could also be perceived as a representation of their faded morals. On the opposite end of the scale, New York City is very chaotic hosting many different immoral acts and uninhibited quests for riches. Nick believes that New York lacks a moral centre like most of the people in the East as Tom can flaunt his affair in public in New York without anyone commenting on the morality. Many people at the party Nick is attending with Tom and My...