3.2.1
Chapter Two
Chapter Two - Summary
Chapter Two - Summary
Nick begins by describing a section of road between West Egg and New York City. He calls it the 'Valley of Ashes' as everything is covered in ash because of the smoke from steam trains.
Nick and Tom's travels
Nick and Tom's travels
- Nick and Tom Buchanan are travelling to New York City by train, when Tom insists they both get off at a stop in the mysterious 'Valley of Ashes' so that Nick can meet his mistress.
- Tom leads Nick to George Wilson’s car garage. Wilson is described as 'a blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome.'
- When Tom asks Wilson how business is going, he 'unconvincingly' tells Tom that business is fine.
Introducing George Wilson's wife
Introducing George Wilson's wife
- George Wilson’s wife, Myrtle, comes down the stairs and into the room.
- Nick describes her as someone with a 'perceptible vitality', remarking that he finds her strangely sensual. When Tom tells Myrtle to 'get on the next train', it becomes clear that Myrtle is Tom’s mistress.
- Tom and Nick leave the car garage, and Nick asks whether George minds that Tom is having an affair with his wife. Tom responds that George is 'so dumb he doesn’t even know he’s alive'.
The New York City apartment
The New York City apartment
- Nick and Tom meet Myrtle in New York City and the three go to an apartment that Tom has for the purpose of having his affair.
- They are joined by Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, who is described as 'a worldly girl of about thirty', and the McKees, a married couple who live in the same apartment building.
- At the apartment, everybody, including Nick, gets very drunk. Nick says that this is only the second time he has been drunk in his life.
Discussion of Gatsby
Discussion of Gatsby
- When Nick reveals to the party guests that he lives in West Egg, the topic of conversation changes to Nick’s next door neighbour, the mysterious Mr Gatsby.
- Catherine says she fears Gatsby because she has heard that he is 'a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Willhelm’s'.
Tom and Myrtle's argument
Tom and Myrtle's argument
- Nick’s drunkenness causes his recounting of the story to become hazy. Time seems to move forward quite quickly to a point later in the evening where Tom and Myrtle are arguing.
- Myrtle has become steadily more drunk and loud throughout the evening.
- Tom is arguing with Myrtle because she has mentioned Daisy: he doesn’t think she has any right to use Daisy’s name. Myrtle antagonises Tom by calling 'Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!' repeatedly.
Tom punches Myrtle
Tom punches Myrtle
- Angered by Myrtle’s disobedience, Tom punches her in the face and breaks her nose.
- This violent event brings the party to an abrupt end and the guests leave. Nick finds himself alone at Pennsylvania Station, waiting for the four o’clock train.
Chapter Two - Analysis
Chapter Two - Analysis
We meet George Wilson and his wife Myrtle, who is Tom's mistress, in Chapter Two.
Analysis of the 'Valley of Ashes'
Analysis of the 'Valley of Ashes'
- Above the 'grey land', a pair of 'blue and gigantic' eyes look down from an old advertising billboard for a now-abandoned eye doctor’s practice.
- This grim area between the bustling city and the well-off West Egg could be said to represent those who have been left behind by the 'roaring twenties': a reminder that not everyone is thriving in 1920s America.
- The mysterious eyes staring down from the advertising billboard add to the sinister atmosphere.
Analysis of Wilson
Analysis of Wilson
- 'A blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome.'
- Our first impression of Wilson is that his spirit has been crushed and defeated, and that his dreams remain unfulfilled.
- Wilson is a further reminder that, alongside the 'new money' of West Egg and the 'old money' of East Egg, there are also those who have no money.
Analysis of George and Myrtle
Analysis of George and Myrtle
- There is a contrast between the 'vitality' of Myrtle and her 'spiritless' husband, George. Perhaps this is why she is drawn to Tom: with his wealth and social connections, he can show Myrtle a better life.
- Tom, meanwhile, is clearly taking advantage of the weak George Wilson. While pretending to be friendly with him, he is having an affair with his wife and doesn’t seem to care whether he knows about it or not.
- This could be a further representation of the arrogance of 'old money'.
Analysis of the party at the apartment
Analysis of the party at the apartment
- While it may seem like the characters are having fun, enjoying the excesses of the Roaring Twenties, beneath the surface it seems that the characters are using alcohol as a way of making the party tolerable, highlighting the hidden desperation of the era.
Analysis of discussion of Gatsby
Analysis of discussion of Gatsby
- The sense of mystery that surrounds Gatsby leads to rumours and speculation about how he has accumulated such vast wealth, and people seem to jump to the conclusion that he must have a shady past which is he hiding from the public.
- This highlights how rumours and gossip were a key feature of social life in the 1920s: many of the characters seem to always be looking for the latest scandal to discuss.
Analysis of Tom slapping Myrtle
Analysis of Tom slapping Myrtle
- Tom’s actions here show a much more cruel and abusive side to his character. His privileged 'old money' upbringing clearly means he is used to people following his orders, and he lashes out with violence when Myrtle fails to obey him.
- There is also a clear hypocrisy in his actions: he seems to be attacking Myrtle out of loyalty to Daisy, yet he is the one who is cheating on Daisy.
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
Jump to other topics
1Specification Overview
1.1Specification Overview
2Context
3Plot Summary
3.1Chapter One
3.2Chapter Two
3.3Chapter Three
3.4Chapter Four
3.6Chapter Six
3.7Chapter Seven
3.8Chapter Eight
4Character Profiles
4.3Daisy Buchanan
4.5Minor Characters
5Key Ideas
6Writing Techniques
6.1Structure, Genre & Narrative Voice
7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis
7.1Love Through the Ages
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