Chapter 2 Summary and Analysis

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Nick begins this chapter with a long description of the landscape between West Egg and New York City, what Fitzgerald calls “a valley of ashes” because its desolate houses and prominent railroad tracks make it feel like a place people would only ever want to pass through, home to “ash-gray men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air.” This valley of ashes stands in stark contrast to the comfort and the glamour of East and West Egg, which in its description appears vibrant, luxurious, and clean. Fitzgerald uses the juxtaposition of these two locations to suggest that the American Dream, so deftly alluded to in the previous chapter, may be hollow and unrealistic, a kind of fantasy that misleads men and settles them unhappily in this lifeless place. Fitzgerald’s valley of ashes thus becomes a symbol of the failures of the American Dream, just as Doctor T. J. Eckleburg’s eyes, peering out from a decrepit billboard, symbolize God, or, rather, a god whose once bright eyes, dimmed with age, “brood” over this valley of ashes. If there is a God, Fitzgerald suggests, then he has abandoned humanity and turned his back on the desolation Nick describes.

Nick and Tom pass through the valley of ashes on their way to a party in the City. Tom drives, but stops part way there at the garage belonging to George Wilson, Myrtle’s cuckold husband. Tom pretends to be inquiring about his business, like a friend, but Nick knows that Tom wants to see Myrtle. Sure enough, when she comes down, she sends George away to fetch a chair, and Tom whispers instructions for where she should meet him. As soon as she sneaks away, her true personality comes out, and Myrtle reveals herself to be vain, vivacious, and shallow, not unlike Tom. Her dress is tight and revealing, and on the way to the party Tom stops to buy her a magazine, cold cream, a bottle of perfume, and even a little dog. This pleases her, and she becomes self-satisfied and near insufferable as she telephones her sister and invites her to the party. It takes place in a top-floor apartment, where Nick gets drunk for the second time in his life and where Tom and Myrtle enjoy a little alone time before their guests arrive. Once the party gets into full swing, it feels like the Jazz Age: interminable and absurd, over-familiar and superficial, and completely unperturbed by the fact of Prohibition, which should in theory make the liquor they drink impossible to obtain, but in practice drives them to bootleggers and speakeasies that sell them illegal alcohol. Nick is so soaked in booze by the end of this party that he can barely get himself home.

A couple important things come to light at this party: that Myrtle and Tom were once happy in their marriages, that they “can’t stand” their respective spouses now, and that Tom must have a possessive kind of affection for Daisy, because when Myrtle says Daisy’s name repeatedly, despite Tom’s warning, he brutally breaks her nose.

Allusions

John D. Rockefeller. An American industrialist well-known for his wealth and his philanthropy. His namesake plaza in New York City (home of the building colloquially known as “30 Rock”) is a good example of his status in the New York City financial industry and his fame in early 20th Century America. His name quickly became synonymous with wealth and prestige, and Nick’s remark about the old man who sells Myrtle her dog looking like Rockefeller is meant as a satire of the New York City elite.

Kaiser Wilhelm. Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last of the German Emperors, who ruled from 1888 until 1918, when the monarchy was abolished. Kaiser Wilhelm was the eldest grandson of Queen Victoria and was related to many members of the European royalty, which makes his participation in World War I especially strange, considering that he chose to go to war against his own family. Fitzgerald alludes to Kaiser Wilhelm to enhance the mystery surrounding Gatsby’s character.

Simon Called Peter by Robert Keable. A bestselling novel published in 1921 about a priest who has an affair with a woman in France and almost renounces his faith. Fitzgerald alludes to the novel to make fun of “popular” fiction and distance his literary work from books like Keable’s.

Town Tattle. A cheap gossip magazine from the 1920s, not unlike the National Enquirer of today. Myrtle’s decision to buy it along with a magazine about movies suggests that she’s not as high class as she wants to appear. There’s also a pile of Town Tattle issues on a table at the apartment, which suggests that Tom and Myrtle have had many parties there already.

Versailles. The Palace of Versailles, the traditional home of the French monarchy, built by Louis XIV and designed by architect Louis Le Vau. Today, Versailles is a tourist attraction and a museum of fine art, but under Louis XIV’s reign and up to the years of the French Revolution, Versailles was the seat of political power in France. It’s also world-renowned for its elaborate gardens, which Fitzgerald alludes to here in order to suggest that the guests at the party are rich and self-involved, prone to an unnecessary level of ostentation.

Character Development

Cars. Fitzgerald uses cars to characterize two of the men in this chapter: Tom and George Wilson. George, a mechanic and garage owner, spends his entire life buying, fixing, and selling cars, most of them rundown and not worth much. Tom, on the other hand, drives a nice car, owns another one he’s thinking of selling, and wouldn’t be caught dead working in such an old and unprosperous-looking garage. Fitzgerald uses their cars to emphasize the difference in social status between these two men.

Clothing. Once again, clothing and physical descriptions play a big part in character development. This time the descriptions are mostly of Myrtle, whom we meet for the first time in this chapter. She appears in three different outfits over the course of the chapter: a spotted blue dress, a brown muslin dress, and an afternoon dress made of cream-colored chiffon. These outfit transitions correspond to developments in her character: she goes from being a somewhat dowdy wife to a woman stepping out on her husband to a pampered and pompous mistress who appears by the end of the chapter to be a haughty, disdainful, and altogether unpleasant person. Later in the novel, we will see her in a different outfit, and she will again act like a different person.

Withheld Information. Myrtle’s sister Catherine mentions to Nick that Gatsby might be the cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm, and that this may be where he gets his money. While untrue, this rumor is a byproduct of the mystery that surrounds Gatsby, which Fitzgerald will continue to build in subsequent chapters. By withholding information, Fitzgerald is able to increase interest in Jay Gatsby and draw the reader deeper into the story.

Symbols

Colors. Fitzgerald continues to build on the color gray as a symbol of desolation and of decay in this chapter, particularly in his description of the valley of ashes. Men there are gray. The houses are gray. The train tracks and the cars are all covered with an ashy gray dust, just as George Wilson’s clothes are when we see him at the garage. Gray thus becomes a symbol of death and lifelessness. Tom even goes so far as to say that George Wilson is “so dumb he doesn’t even know he’s alive.”

Doctor T. J. Eckleburg’s eyes. Doctor T. J. Eckleburg was an oculist who purchased a billboard in the valley of ashes. This billboard went forgotten and unnoticed for a long time, eventually fading to the point where the blue of the doctor’s eyes became less bright, but not less disarming. Fitzgerald uses the eyes as a symbol of God or of a god who stares solemnly out at his creation, watching in silence as civilization begins to decay. God, Fitzgerald suggests, has turned His back on humanity.

The Valley of Ashes. Fitzgerald describes the landscape between East Egg and New York City as a symbolic valley of ashes where civilization has begun to decay and men shamble around in gray clothes, gray cars, and gray houses covered with ashes. This is a potent symbol of desolation and decline, and it stands in stark contrast to the opulence of East and West Egg, which seem vibrant and hopeful by comparison. This is the place where people go when they have no more hope, and the valley thus becomes a symbol of the failure of the American Dream.

Important Theme

The American Dream. Fitzgerald continues to develop the theme of the American Dream, using the symbolic valley of ashes to show the readers what has happened to that dream in the modern era. Financial and social stratification, fueled by the rapid growth of industry in America, has left many of its citizens behind. Men like George Wilson, for instance, have no hope of bettering themselves, because the modern world leaves them no options to climb the social ladder. George Wilson owns a garage and nothing more. These men live in the ashes and nothing more. For many Americans, Fitzgerald argues, the American Dream will never be a reality. In later chapters, we’ll see how the desire to realize that dream affects the main characters.

Expert Q&A

What does Myrtle's comment "I thought [Wilson] knew something about breeding" mean in chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby?

In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, Myrtle's comment "I thought [Wilson] knew something about breeding" signifies her misguided belief that her husband was from a higher social class. She had hoped that he was a refined gentleman, with an education and social etiquette typical of the aristocracy. However, as she realizes his true social status, she feels superior and expresses regret for marrying him, showing her own class prejudices and aspirations.

In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, how does Myrtle's behavior change as the party progresses?

In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, Myrtle's behavior becomes increasingly affected and pretentious as the party progresses. Initially, she attempts to appear sophisticated and wealthy, but her affectations grow more exaggerated. She adopts a haughty demeanor, disparages her husband, and flaunts her association with Tom. Her artificiality culminates in a dramatic scene where Tom breaks her nose, ending her charade.

What do the phrases "the nerves of her body were continually smouldering" and "walking through her husband as if he were a ghost" mean in the context of Myrtle's description in Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby?

The first of the highlighted phrases in this quote from chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby describes Myrtle's sexuality, which derives from her energy, not her looks. The second phrase shows her disregard for her husband as a nonentity and also foreshadows the Wilsons' deaths at the end of the novel.

What's odd about Myrtle Wilson's conversation about the servants in chapter 2?

Myrtle Wilson's conversation about the servants in Chapter 2 is ironic and odd because, despite her lower-class background, she adopts an air of superiority and disdain toward the servant class while in Tom Buchanan's rented apartment. She criticizes the servants for being shiftless and money-focused, though she herself is preoccupied with Tom's wealth and the luxuries it affords her. This reflects her aspiration to rise above her origins and her self-delusion about her social status.

What does the phrase "I became entangled in some wild strident argument which pulled me back" mean in Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby?

I wanted to get out and walk eastward toward the park through the soft twilight but each time I tried to go I became entangled in some wild strident argument which pulled me back, as if with ropes, into my chair.

In Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, the phrase "I became entangled in some wild strident argument which pulled me back" reflects Nick Carraway's discomfort at being coerced into participating in loud and forceful arguments at a party. Despite his desire to leave, he feels socially obligated to stay and engage, often due to his polite demeanor and the influence of alcohol. This situation highlights his tendency to be manipulated into uncomfortable situations throughout the novel.

What is Myrtle trying to justify about her unhappy marriage in The Great Gatsby, chapter 2?

In Chapter 2, Myrtle justifies her unhappy marriage by claiming she deserves better than George Wilson, whom she married under false pretenses. She regrets marrying him, realizing he wasn't the gentleman she thought, as he borrowed a suit for their wedding. Her disdain for George and her desire for a luxurious lifestyle lead her to justify her affair with Tom Buchanan, portraying herself as a victim and emphasizing her social aspirations.

What do we learn about Nick in Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby? How does he compare to his companions?

In Chapter 2, we learn that Nick is capable of objectivity and tends to reserve judgment, contrasting with the self-serving nature of his companions. While he observes Myrtle Wilson and others trying to gain favor with Tom Buchanan, Nick's narrative is tinged with a "dim haze" from drunkenness, yet he remains more objective than those around him, who are primarily motivated by Tom's wealth and status.

In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, how does Myrtle's speech reveal her character?

Myrtle's speech in Chapter 2 reveals her as passionate, excitable, and somewhat delusional. She loves recounting stories and dreams of a life filled with luxury and status, as shown by her desire for material goods. Her aspirations often ignore reality, such as her misguided belief in Tom Buchanan's affection despite his violence. Her speech reflects her dissatisfaction with her marriage to George Wilson and her reckless pursuit of an idealized lifestyle.

Are there any forms of irony in chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby?

Yes, there are forms of irony in chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby. The primary irony is situational, such as Nick admiring Gatsby despite his initial disdain and Daisy being unhappy despite her wealth. Verbal irony is also present, exemplified by Daisy's sarcastic remarks about Tom's reading habits. Additionally, Myrtle's false sense of power contrasts with her actual vulnerability when Tom hits her.

What does "casual" mean in this excerpt from chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby?

Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the darkening streets, and I was him too, looking up and wondering. I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.

In this excerpt from chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, "casual" means random, relaxed, and relatively unconcerned. Nick imagines himself as a random person on the street who might casually look up at the yellow windows and wonder about the lives within. This reflects his desire to be detached from the people he is with, observing them from a distance without being involved.

Why does Fitzgerald introduce the McKees in chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby?

Fitzgerald introduces the McKees in chapter 2 to highlight the contrast between Myrtle's and Daisy's social circles, illustrating Myrtle's comfort with "classless" people unlike Daisy. Their presence also reveals Tom's long-term affair with Myrtle. Furthermore, the McKees represent the fleeting, superficial relationships of the era and emphasize Tom's hypocrisy in his social judgments.

What does "the supercilious assumption was that" mean in the second chapter of The Great Gatsby?

I think he’d tanked up a good deal at luncheon and his determination to have my company bordered on violence. The supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do.

In chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby, "the supercilious assumption" means Tom Buchanan arrogantly assumes Nick has nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon. Tom's sense of superiority, driven by his wealth and conceit, leads him to believe he knows what's best for Nick and to demand Nick's company without considering Nick's own plans.

What impressions does Fitzgerald create of the characters in the first two chapters of The Great Gatsby?

Fitzgerald's portrayal of the characters in chapter 1 is designed to impress upon the reader an image of wealth, decadence, and social standing. Fitzgerald provides a starkly contrasting image of Nick Carraway, who comes from a modest background and who observes the lavish lifestyle with dry wit.

Comparing and contrasting the social occasions in chapters 1 and 2 of The Great Gatsby

The social occasion in chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby is a refined dinner at Tom and Daisy's mansion, reflecting the upper class's elegance and restraint. In contrast, chapter 2 features a wild and vulgar party in Myrtle's apartment, highlighting the moral decay and excesses of the lower classes. Both events expose the characters' true natures and the era's social divides.

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