The Great Gatsby - Chap 2 Flashcards
Who are the main characters of this chapter?
Nick Carraway
Tom Buchanan
George Wilson
Myrtle Wilson
Mr & Mrs Mckee
Myrtle’s sister, Catherine
What are the key themes for this chapter?
Old Money Vs New Money Vs No Money (Class)
Roaring Twenties
How did Nick describe the Valley of Ashes?
“A desolate area of land” (bleak)
The entire place is a deadland, endless negativity
How are the men of the Valley of Ashes described? And what does this suggest?
“Ash grey men who move dimly and already crumbling”
This suggest the men are walking dead people, no use in life
Whose eyes are seen on a billboard? And how are they described?
Doctor T.J Eckleburg
“blue and gigantic” with “a pair of enormous yellow spectacles”
What does Nick claim the eyes do?
“Brood on over the solemn dumping ground”
Who was Nick meeting in the Valley of Ashes?
Tom Buchanan’s mistress
What did Nick say about his desire for meeting Tom’s mistress?
He “was curious to see her” though he “had no desire to meet her”
Whose shop did Nick meet Tom’s mistress at?
George B. Wilson’s garage repairs shop
How did Nick describe George Wilson? And what does this suggest about him?
As “A blonde, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome”
That he is a man of no hope, nothing special about him
What business did George believe he had with Tom?
That Tom is selling him a car, and that he is feeling a tad impatient
How did Nick describe Tom’s mistress, Myrtle?
That her face “contained no facet or gleam of beauty”
She is not that impressive, nothing special just like her husband
How did Nick describe the way Myrtle walked through her husband?
“as if he were a ghost”
As if he were invisible, nothing of importance
What does Wilson (George) believe Myrtle is doing when she goes to see Tom?
“He thinks she goes to see her sister in New York.”
What did Myrtle make Tom buy for her? And why?
A dog as “they’re nice to have”
She is attempting to appear upper class
How does Tom give Myrtle the money to buy a dog? What does tis say about him?
Almost in a rush, “Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it”
He has money to give away without it bothering him
Where does Nick go with Tom and Myrtle?
Their apartment in the city
Who does Myrtle say she’s going to call up to the apartment?
The McKees & her sister
What did Nick state about being drunk?
“I have been drunk just twice in my life and the second time was that afternoon”
How does Nick describe Myrtle’s sister?
“A slender, worldly girl of about thirty”
How does Nick describe Mr Mckee?
As “a pale feminine man”
How does Nick describe Mrs Mckee? Also what does Nick description of her suggest?
“Shrill, languid, handsome and horrible”
Suggests she is obsessed with appearance, reflects society of the time
Why did Myrtle change her outfit multiple times?
She pretends to someone she isn’t, a woman of wealth and glamour
What does Nick say changed about Myrtle alongside her outfit?
“With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change”
