Name Fabiola Sanchez

Title of Book: The Great Gatsby Chapter #2

Complete the following form for the assigned book & chapter. Your work should be your own, unless
otherwise indicated.

Summary: Write a brief summary of the action of the chapter. Remember, TITLE & AUTHOR
should be included.

In Chapter 2 of "The Great Gatsby," the author F. Scott Fitzgerald has the the narrator, Nick
Carraway, attend a party at the apartment of Tom Buchanan's mistress, Myrtle Wilson, in the city. The
partygoers, including Tom and Nick, get drunk and rowdy, with Tom and Myrtle arguing and making
up multiple times.Later, Tom breaks Myrtle's nose when she won't stop saying Daisy's name. Nick
leaves the party feeling disgusted with the behavior he witnessed. The chapter highlights the contrast
between the decadence and excess of the city's wealthy elite and the gritty reality of life in the city's
poorer neighborhoods.

Theme: Which of the themes discussed in class is most evident? Provide TEXTUAL Evidence
- and explain. Please Choose ONE theme only.

Chapter 2 of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is primarily focused on the theme of
social class and the corruption and decay of the American Dream. Fitzgerald portrays the stark
contrast between the wealthy and privileged residents of West Egg, and the working-class residents
of the nearby valley of ashes. "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".This quote reinforces the image of the valley of ashes as a bleak and desolate place.
The repetition of "ashes" emphasizes the oppressive and inescapable nature of poverty and the lack
of upward mobility for those living in the valley. The setting of the chapter, which takes place at Tom
Buchanan's apartment in New York City, further emphasizes this divide between the wealthy and the
poor.

Personal Response: What are your thoughts on this chapter? How are you feeling about
characters? The plot? Etc. ( Minimum 5 sentences)
This chapter, I believe, offered me a clearer picture of what the middle, lower, and high classes
looked like during the Great Gatsby era. I learned Tom is a wealthy, arrogant, and racist man who is
married to Daisy Buchanan. In this chapter, we see him visiting his mistress Myrtle Wilson in the
Valley of Ashes, which highlights his lack of respect for his marriage and his disregard for those of a
lower social class.

Author’s Purpose: What, in your opinion, is the PURPOSE of this chapter? What new
information has the author introduced? What plot twists? Etc. Why here? Why now? What is
he/she trying to get the reader to believe? Understand? Feel?
In this chapter, the author introduces new information about the affair between Tom Buchanan and
Myrtle Wilson, Tom's mistress, as well as the harsh reality of life in the city's poorer neighborhoods.
The violent scene where Tom breaks Myrtle's nose also adds a dramatic plot twist, revealing the
darker side of the characters and their actions.The author is trying to get the reader to understand the
corruption and moral decay of the wealthy elite during the Roaring Twenties, a time of extravagance
and excess. The chapter serves to demonstrate the lack of morality and values among the
characters, with their reckless behavior and infidelity, as well as the negative impact of the pursuit of
wealth and pleasure on individuals and society as a whole.

Questions: Answer and attach and chapter questions assigned.

Compare and contrast the descriptions of George and Myrtle Wilson. Use specific diction from
the text. What do you think of them as a couple?Why?
Both George and Myrtle are described as having a "desolate area of land" and a "forlorn"
storefront for their business (Chapter 2). This suggests that they are both struggling financially and
living in a place of poverty. However, Myrtle is depicted as being "vital" and "full of life" (Chapter 2),
whereas George is described as "spiritless" and "anemic" (Chapter 2). This contrast highlights the
differences in their personalities and outlooks on life. As a couple, George and Myrtle seem to be
unhappy and dysfunctional. Myrtle's affair with Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and married man, shows
that she is not satisfied with her current social and economic status.

What is your opinion of Nick’s involvement in this chapter? What is his purpose? Do you like
or dislike him at this point? Use textual evidence.
Nick's role in this chapter is primarily that of a detached observer. He accompanies Tom to
Myrtle's apartment and witnesses the chaotic events that unfold, but does not actively participate. His
descriptions of the scene and the characters are objective, providing insight into their behavior and
attitudes without overtly judging them. I think this shows maturity for Nick and displays that he is a
respectful character. For example, Nick notes that Myrtle's husband George seems "anemic" and
"spiritless," but does not offer any personal opinions on the matter. Overall, Nick's involvement in this
chapter serves to provide a nuanced perspective on the social and economic divide of the time
period.

“Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!” Shouted Mrs.Wilson. “I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-” Making
a short movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Pg. 37). What are the
circumstances and significance of this quote? What is your reaction to this situation?
The quote highlights the power dynamics at play between Tom, a wealthy and privileged man,
and Myrtle, his mistress who seeks to escape her unhappy marriage. Tom sees her as a disposable
plaything, and when she repeatedly yells Daisy's name, he breaks her nose to reassert his control.
This violent act is a disturbing reminder of the gender and class inequalities of the time period, as
women like Myrtle were seen as disposable objects to be used and discarded by men like Tom. The
scene underscores the toxic and abusive nature of their relationship, and the destructive
consequences of unchecked privilege and entitlement. Overall, the quote is a shocking reminder of
the darker aspects of the Roaring Twenties.