Occasionally a line of grey cars crawls along an invisible track, gives out a ghastly creak and comes to rest, and immediately the ash-grey men swarm up with leaden spades and stir up an impenetrable cloud which screens their obscure operations from your sight. which statement best explains how symbolism is used in characterizing the valley of ashes? a. the railroad cars crawl along the track, which indicates an economic downturn. b. the men are covered in grey ash, highlighting their hopeless situation. c. the men work with leaden spades, working hard toward the american dream. d. the railroad track is invisible, representing the guidance of a divine spirit.