The Great Gatsby Chapter 2 Journal

George Angelopoulos 4˚

1. The Great Gatsby: Chapter 2, Pg. 23-38

2. Tom and Nick travel to see Tom’s girl Myrtle Wilson. They meet at George Wilson’s auto shop, and proceed to New York. After shopping, Tom and Myrtle host a party at their apartment. Nick meets some neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. McKee, and Myrtle’s sister, Catherine. Everyone except Catherine gets drunk at the party, which ends with Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose for saying Daisy’s name. Nick decides to leave the scene, and takes the 4 A.M. train home.

3.            a. Myrtle Wilson

            b. “Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before, and was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which gave out a continual rustle as personality had also undergone a change. The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur.” (30)

            c. Myrtle is a person who only cares about her own happiness and well being. She married George, but doesn’t care about him. She even invites Tom to George’s place of work to meet her. She is very focused on materialistic things, such as clothes, shopping, gifts, and her “secret” apartment. She views herself as better than Daisy, and as the true woman for Tom.

            d. Myrtle’s role is one of vice and passion. Myrtle is Tom’s dirty “secret,” even though everyone already knows about their situation. She is in many ways, a reflection of Tom. Both are selfish, greedy, and eager to show off. Myrtle also shows the power that women have in a relationship through the destruction of her own marriage with George. She knows she has the power, and relishes the ability to have two lives and two lovers.

4. “This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly ad already crumbling through the powdery air.” (23) This passage stuck out to me because I have never heard ashes be described as something so beautiful and sad at the same time. This quote is all about a new life, as the ashes regained new life in this dismal valley. Renewal is a key theme in this quote and throughout the novel. When something dies, it has the ability to take on new life. Tom’s relationship with Daisy is dying, but a new relationship is taking form with Myrtle. Nick had a life in the army, but is now adopting a new life of luxury. One thing ends, and another begins. This can also be applied to Nick’s evolving conscience and beliefs. 

The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Journal

George Angelopoulos 4˚

1. The Great Gatsby: Chapter 1, Pg. 1-21

2. Nick Carraway identifies himself as both the author and the narrator. He calls himself a man of open-mindedness and a man of great virtues. He fought in war, and now works as a bondsman on Long Island. He joins his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom, for dinner one evening where they discussed current events, as well as philosophies. After returning home, Nick notices Gatsby, his neighbor, but decides to leave him be.

3.             a. Tom Buchanan

            b. “Now he was a sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner. Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward. … It was a body capable of enormous leverage-a cruel body” (7)

            c. Tom Buchanan is a person of great power and wealth. He came from a very wealthy family, which fostered his appetite for an extravagant lifestyle. He views himself as the best of the best, and demands others do the same. Even though he has a wife, he is keeping a girl in New York for his own enjoyment. Life is either his way or the high way.

            d. Tom Buchanan represents everything that Nick does not like in humanity. Tom represents the superficial rich who only care about their own well being. Tom has so much, but at the same time lacks everything. He has money and power, but lacks love, family values, and commitment. In Nick’s mind, Tom is the bad rich guy to emulate. Nick does not want to cast judgment on Tom, but at the same time Nick does not want to become Tom.

4. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages the you’ve had.” (1) Nick’s father gave Nick this piece of advice, which he admits had followed him his entire life. Nick identifies this quote as a cornerstone for his tolerance and virtues. This quote is significant and memorable because it is counter cultural. Our society is one of gossip and rumors, back in the time period of this book and today. This virtue goes against society, which means that Nick can be a character who is different from everyone else in society. Nick replaces judgment with understanding, which makes him a very unique character who is capable of great good.