Chapter+Two+-+The+Great+Gatsby

Chapter Two

 * Plot Events ||  ||
 * Setting ||  ||
 * Atmosphere ||  ||
 * Nick || In Chapter Two, Nick recounts a day where he travelled to New York with Tom Buchanen and his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. They pick up Mrs Wilson from her home above a mechanic’s shop in the valley of the ashes and travel in a separate train carriage from her to the city. Once they reach the city, Myrtle makes a few purchases, including a dog that she buys whilst in a taxi.

The trio then go to an apartment that appears to belong to Tom and Myrtle. A party is held, where Nick feels rather out of place. It ends dramatically when Tom punches Myrtle in the nose for mentioning his wife, Daisy. Nick accompanies a friend of Tom and Myrtle’s, Mr McKee, to his house, where he is shown some of Mr McKee’s photography before catching a train back home.

In this chapter, it is highlighted once again that Nick secretly feels inferior to Tom, though he attempts to present himself as Tom’s equal. His inferiority is demonstrated when Tom “jumped to his feet and, taking hold of my elbow, literally forced me from the car.” The fact that Tom can physically push Nick around shows how he is stronger and more powerful than him. He is dominant, though Nick tries to hide this, stating that, “his determination to have my company bordered on violence. The supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do.”

Nick is also presented as somewhat shy and awkward in this chapter. Upon meeting Mr and Mrs Wilson in the mechanic’s shop, we are given detailed descriptions of Nick’s surroundings and the physical appearance of both people, but little dialogue passes between Nick and the Wilsons. He is extremely observant but does not voice his opinions – he stays quiet and lets Tom do the talking, proving again that he feels insignificant compared to Tom.

His awkwardness and discomfort around people he does not know is further accentuated at the party. Nick distances himself from Myrtle and Tom, saying that he “went out to buy some [cigarettes] at the drugstore” and later “wanted to get out and walk…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.” The term ‘entangled’ here shows how Nick feels trapped surrounded by unfamiliar people. He cannot relate to them and this bothers him.

He is also exceedingly judgemental. Before he has even heard Mrs Wilson speak, he decides she is a “thickish figure” and “her face…contained no facet or gleam of beauty.” Without giving her the chance to introduce herself, Nick has already perceived her negatively. This contradicts his firm belief that he is not judgemental.

Nick also appears somewhat fascinated at the people he meets at the party. His vivid descriptions of them and the events that take place (such as the incident where Tom hits Myrtle) show how they stand out to him as significant. || __Tom and Murtle Vs. Tom and Daisy:__ __Nick and Himself:__ __Murtle and Tom:__ __Wilson and Tom__ The river The eyes Yellow Brick Building Spotted dress Train tracks
 * Gatsby ||  ||
 * Daisy ||  ||
 * Tom ||  ||
 * Jordan ||  ||
 * Myrtle ||  ||
 * George ||  ||
 * Relationships ||  ||
 * Conflict || __Between the Valley of Ashes and the Eggs:__
 * The Valley of ashes, poor, absolute desolation and poverty, that is the Valley of Ashes. Compared to the contrast of the West and East Egg, where they have extravagant and elaborate parties and huge mansions. The Valley of Ashes lies in between West Egg and New York. Lacks the glamour of their lifestyles. This is subtle conflict of areas.
 * //"A fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges s and hills and grotesque gardens..."//
 * //"...with a transcendent effort, of ash-gray men, who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air."//
 * //"Occasionally a line of gray cars crawl along an invisible track..."//
 * Tom has to keep his affair very quiet in the Valley of Ashes as not to show Wilson (Murtles husband) that she is having an affair. But in New York he can show her in public as there is noone there to worry about seeing. But their is a subtle conflict that I find between Tom and Nick, as Daisy is Nick's cousin and so he does not agree with this affair, as he is cheating on his cousin.
 * //"Though I was curious to see her, I had no desire to meet her.."//
 * //"I want you to meet my girl."// Said by Tom. I feel her he uses the preposition 'my' to make Murtle sound like Tom owns her. She is his possession, and I feel there is a subtle undertone coming from Nick here where he thinks this is very wrong and is almost disgusted that Tom could say that when he has Daisy.
 * Although he feels morally repelled by the vulgarity and tastelessness of the party, he is too fascinated by it to leave. This contradiction suggests the mixed feelings that he feels towards the Buchanan's, Gatsby and the East coast in general.
 * When Tom lashes out at Murtle and hits her in the face. He is seen in this chapter as a bully, and uses his social status and physical strength to dominate and have power over those who are around him.
 * "//I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-"//
 * //"...Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand."//
 * He subtly taunts Wilson whilst having an affair with his wife Murtle. Wilson is the complete opposite to Tom. Stark contrast. He is a handsome and morally upright man who lacks money, privileges and vitality. ||
 * Diction ||  ||
 * Imagery ||  ||
 * Symbolism || The gray cars symbolize industrialization and show the ideas of mass production and consumerism, ideas related to the american Dream
 * Color**
 * gray - Symbolizes the lifelessness of the people in the valley of ashes
 * yellow - Symbolizes wealth
 * blue - Symbolizes the surreal situation that comes with the wealthy
 * White (Cream) - innocence. In the dress shows the innocence of Mrs Wilson.
 * Black- Symbolizes death and desolation.
 * Symbolizes the way in which people in the valley of ashes are trapped
 * Symbolizes the destruction of nature due to industrialization
 * Power of the rich.
 * Shows how the rich know what is happening even though they continue to do it.
 * Diverse from the grey color imagery.
 * Symbol of wealth
 * "Only building in sight" Its the only thing that the people see.
 * Symbol of wealth due to its rich color.
 * Symbolism of a set path and industrialisation, only one way in and out of the town. ||
 * Themes ||  ||
 * Satirical targets ||  ||