chapter 2

Question 1

“He was a blond, spiritless man, anæmic, and faintly handsome.”
- Wilson

Answer 1

• Powerless and passive and to some extent invisible
  o Juxtaposes his wife who has a loud and bold presence
• Presented as defeated and exhausted
  o Demonstrates Fitzgerald’s message about the American Dream
  o An illusion which is unattainable
  o Leaves people like Wilson exhausted from trying to reach it

Question 2

“Then she wet her lips”
- Myrtle

Answer 2

• Characterised by her sexual and promiscuous persona
• She’s a representation of the desperate lower-class women who tried to climb the social ladder through sex
  o Characteronym myrtle = plants which climb trees
  o Tries to climb the social ladder

Question 3

“He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in, and never even told me about it, ”
- Myrtle & Wilson

Answer 3

• Married him due to the belief he had some wealth or social standing
• 20s legal restrictions meant it was hard to end a marriage
  o Especially as a woman as they were dependant on men so without Wilson she would have no access to money
  o Stuck and American dream = inaccessible

Question 4

“When we came into the station he was next to me, and his white shirt-front pressed against my arm, and so I told him I’d have to call a policeman, but he knew I lied.”

• Tom & Myrtle

Answer 4

• The affair = escape for myrtle but to Tom it is some excitement
• Strong physical chemistry but strongly disconnected due to social class
• His physical forwardness is evidence of toxic masculinity which allows him to take advantage of women
• Myrtle’s understanding of their relationship is romantic but to Tom she’s a conquest

Question 5

“Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”

• Tom & Myrtle

Answer 5

• Reported short-style narrative
  o Highlights Tom’s arrogance and violence as he draws on his primitive nature
  o Reinforces his toxic masculinity and establishes their relationship as toxic
• Adds to his unlikability as he resorts to violence when he doesn’t get what he wants (power struggle)
• Use of full name epitomises the violence as the blame is directly put on just him
• Draws emphasis on his skewed morality – no respect for Myrtle as he hurts her out in the open
• Knows Myrtle will still see him despite his abuse
  her 20s women had little choice and freedom which shows how Myrtle is reliant on him and his money for happiness