Can you tell me the link between the American dream and the places in The Great Gatsby?Is valley of ashes the place where the American dream dies?

This book has a wealth of symbolism through out. The concept of East Egg and West Egg are literary representatioins of old and new money. East Egg referring to old money and West Egg referring to new money. This can be thought of in a broader sense as the world that is ever expanding seems to have roots and foundations in the east (hence the correlation of old money), and is growing toward a newer and prosperous west (the correlation to new money). While the story is staged in the East, it really is about it's path toward the west, and the movement from old money to new money. There is a great deal of cynicism in the older, more traditional thought with regard to money, where the newer more modest ideas and wealth seem to come from the north and the west.

You asked if the valley of ashes is where the American Dream ends and to this I would have to say I think, no. I would say the valley of ashes represents the waste products of what wealth has created when people living in opulence indulge themselves, what is left can often be devistating. But, also consider, maneur is the waste product of animals, and it is the very thing that fertalizes growth for the next round of life. So, the valley of ashes represents a burning of old soil, and represents a new begining for what is next to come.