Chapter Two Flashcards
“ash grey men”, “line of grey cars”, “valley of ashes”
These are the people who failed to achieve the American Dream.
“the eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg”, “his eyes, dimmed a little”
Watching over the Valley of Ashes. They symbolise the lack of morales in America during this period. People valued consumerism and materialism more than God. So, God has abandoned America leaving only Eckleburg and his empty eyes to watch over them.
“walking through her husband as if he were a ghost”
Myrtle doesn’t care about Wilson. She’s looking for someone to get her out of the Valley of Ashes and wants to achieve the American Dream. Whereas, Wilson has lost hope in the American Dream.
“I want to get one of those dogs”
Myrtle gets Tom to buy her a dog, magazines, perfume and other stuff. Shows everyone is materialistic.
“set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it” , “Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before”
Myrtle is trying to be better than she is- she longs to leave the Valley of Ashes and achieve the American Dream. Myrtle’s outfit was described as a costume- she’s acting.
“they say he’s a nephew or a cousin or Kaiser Wilhem’s” ,
Rumours about Gatsby, adds to curiosity abut his character.
“each time I tried to go I became entangled in some wild, strident argument which pulled me back, as if with ropes, into my chair”
Nick can’t escape this life, it fascinates him. It’s taken ahold of him, just like it has done to everyone else.
“I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Daisy!” - “Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand”
He has little respect for Myrtle. Even though they’re having an affair, she’s below him and will never be Daisy because Daisy is upper class.
