describe the valley of ashes. what might the ashes symbolize

Literally, the Valley of Ashes is a massive trash dump. The rotting valley represents the rotting American dream. Tom, Daisy, and Jordan, with their endless socials and superficial lives represent how material excess rots their very souls. Their lives, like the valley, are hollow. As time goes on the valley gets ranker as do the lives of many characters in the novel. Self-centered individuals litter the story with meaningless "trash", much like the valley itself.

Valley of ashes symbolize the destruction of the human civilization and humanity.The whole thing in the valley of ashes is covered with ashes which means the whole world is covered with destruction.The valley of ashes cause the tragic ending of the novel.It destroys the civilization, morality and manner