Some things to look out for in

CHAPTER TWO of THE GREAT GATSBY

(Form, Structure, Language)

The Valley of The Ashes

• T o gain some insight into the contemporary literary scene, read T.S. Eliot.‘The Hollow Men’, ‘Prufrock’, ‘The Wasteland’
• Consider the importance of Eckleburg with regard to advertising and God
• Note the symbolic significance and descriptive power of the colour grey, ash, etc

Myrtle

• Sensuous Description: wet lips 18; the argument; disappears with Tom
• Voice: Course voice contrast Daisy
• Furniture – symbolism and significance of Versailles 20, 25
• Catherine as an intradiegetic narrator: s/he is already a character in a narrative that is not hers.  Conveys info  through dialogue.  (Nick is a homodiegetic narrator in that he is a character in his own story who knows no more than he finds out)
• Materialism 31, 38 / acquisitiveness
• Use of clothes.  Her personality changes with clothes 21
• Interaction with Mrs McKee 21
• Myrtle’s own viewpoint through dialogue e.g. ‘you can’t live forever’ 24
• Language e.g. ‘creaking pivot’ ‘mincing shout’ 21

Wilson

• Gleam of hope 17.  Anaemic, spiritless 17.  ‘white ashen dust veiled his dark suit’ 18. Note the symbolism

Myrtle’s Party

• Parody of Daisy’s
• Nick’s reactions and observations: The dried lather 25; The sky ?; Enchanted and repelled 24; artificial laughter 24; The Tribune 26

Tom

• Physical: hits Myrtle. ‘literally forced me from the car’ 17,
• Cold 17, decisive 19,
• Rude: ‘yawned audibly 22,

 

Also see:

Chapter 3 Notes

Chapter 4 Notes

Chapter 5 Notes

Chapter 6 Notes

Chapter 7 Sample essay

Chapter 8 Guided reading 

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