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.
I thank you so much for this :) Not only has this helped a lot in class, but it has helped me understand the book better. I am using this as a guide for my journal entries, putting it in my own words, and going back to the story to read, and understand it even better. Thank you so much :)
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