great gatsby chapter 2

Compare/contrast the personalities and physical characteristics of Myrtle and Daisy. Be sure to list 3-5 similarities and differences

Daisy- charming and delicate, comes from wealthy family, married to Tom Myrtle- vulgar and full-figured (curvy), comes from lower class, Tom's mistress Similarities- both feel they are missing something important in life, both insecure about their relationships, both are abused by Tom

Why is the ending of Chapter 2 so disjointed? What had Nick been doing all evening that might have caused this strange narrative?

His mind is everywhere, and it's hard to understand what he's talking about. He had been drinking

Describe the Valley of Ashes. What does it symbolize?

It is where New York's trash gets dumped. It represents the moral destruction in society because people were focused on having wealth and glamour, at any cost.

Make a comparison of the homes of Nick, Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and George and Myrtle Wilson. How does each home reflect the personality of its owners?

Gatsby has the biggest house out of all of them, because he's trying to show off. The Buchanans have a smaller house than Gatsby, and it means more to them. Nick has the next smallest house (a cottage), because he's simple, but surrounds himself with rich people. The Wilsons have the smallest house out of all of them (because they're poor), an apartment over Mr. Wilson's garage, and it's messy and depressing.

What does Tom do to Myrtle when she repeats Daisy's name? Why do you think he did it? What hints from the first chapter indicated Tom was capable of this behavior?

He slaps her and broke her nose. He was protecting Daisy. In the first chapter, it says that he's a big, aggressive, strong man

Describe Mr. and Mrs. Wilson's relationship. How did Myrtle know she made a "mistake" when she married Wilson?

Mr. Wilson loves his wife, Myrtle isn't happy in their marriage. Myrtle realized she made a mistake because he borrowed another man's suit to get married in and didn't tell her about it. He wasn't as rich as she thought he was, and she says "he wasn't fit to lick [her] shoe".

Describe the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg. What might they represent or symbolize?

They are eyes on a billboard that are fading. They are looking over the valley of ashes. They might represent God judging American society for their low morals.

Explain how Tom and Myrtle met

They met on a train; she was going to visit her sister in New York, and they were flirting on the train, and then she got in a taxi with him

What business transaction is going on between Tom and Mr. Wilson (George)?

Tom has apparently been promising to sell his car to George Wilson for some time. When Tom goes to the garage with Nick, George expects him to bring the car to make the deal, but Tom shows up with nothing. He was only there to ask Myrtle to meet him in the city.

Why do you think Tom is attracted to Myrtle?

Tom is attracted to Myrtle because of her immorality and position in the lower-class. Because Myrtle is unhappy with her social standing, she is desperate and willing to endure Tom's abuse in order to improve her social status

What is the lie Tom told Catherine? Why do you think he lied?

Tom told Catherine that Daisy was Catholic and that's why she wouldn't leave her husband. I think he lied because he doesn't want to divorce Daisy, so he comes up with excuses.

Describe Tom's "girl" in 3-4 sentences.

Tom's "girl" is Myrtle. She is materialistic. Her husband is George who owns a run-down garage, but she really wants to be wealthy and improve her social standing. So, she becomes Tom's mistress, who is rich and buys her gifts.