Chapter II

New characters: Please give a brief writing description:

George Wilson

Myrtle Wilson

Catherine

Mr.& Mrs. McKee

Take questions in writing:

1. What is the Valley Ashes literally?

2. Who or what is Dr. T.J. Eckleburg?

3. What is George Wilson’s occupation?

4. What items does Myrtle purchase in the city?

5. What is significant about Myrtle’s questioning whether the dog is a boy or girl?

6. Who is Catherine?

7. What effect does the change of dress have on Myrtle?

8. How does Myrtle talk about the help at the hotel?

9. What rumour has Catherine heard about Gatsby?

10. How does Catherine explain to Nick the affair of Myrtle and Tom?

Write essay topics:

1. Contrast the green light at the end of Chapter 1 and the gray images of the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2. What thematic statement do the contrasting images reveal?

2. How can George Wilson be said to symbolize the American Dream? Consider his Horatio Alger (“rags-to-riches”) motif, as well as his undying desire to better his situation.

Write a summary of the chapter, describing main events and characters and your thoughts, feelings and attitude to them.

Write out 5-10 new words and expressions from the chapter which you have learnt, give quotations with them and the translation.

Vocabulary list

(Present orally original situations of the novel, using the following words and phrases)

A valley of ashes, to take the form of smth., to come to rest, to fatten one’s practice, to brood over smth. to turn up, assumption, waste land, unprosperous, a gleam of hope, worldly, to undergo a change, in disdain, the lower orders, to get the entry, to be below smb., to be entangled in smth.

I. Give in writing a summary of Chapter II.

II. Be ready to discuss the following:

1. Describe the valley of ashes. (Certainly on the level of simple narrative it represents the grey, dismal environment of the Wilsons’ and the life of the class to which they belong. But the gigantic eyes of Dr.T.J. Eckleburg take on greater meaning along with the valley of ashes. What is that meaning?)

2. F. Scott Fitzgerald is scrupulous in the description of places of residence. In this chapter the author presents the description of Tom and Myrtle’s apartment. Describe it Compare it with Tom and Daisy’s place.

Say what colours prevail in this chapter. Why? Note the repetition of the word “dust” in the first two chapters. What does it suggest?

3. Summarize your impressions of the atmosphere at the party in Tom and Myrtle’s apartment in New York and compare it with that of the party at the Buchanans’ in East Egg. How does the author achieve the vitality of the scenes? What was Nick Carraway’s impression of the conversation arid the action in the apartment? Comment on his words: “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.”

What may the lines from the morning Tribune suggest? Isn’t Carraway at home both in the world of Daisy and in the world of Myrtle (but belonging to neither and so able to see and judge both very clearly)? Prove your viewpoint.

4. The scenes of parties serve to introduce all the important characters and places in the novel (see also Chapter III). Each scrape of dialogue speaks volumes. Describe Myrtle’s appearance, clothes, manner of speech and behaviour. Touch upon her tastes and interests. What features of her character does the author emphasize? What Myrtle’s quality contrasts with Daisy’s cool elegance?

a) Reread the story of Myrtle’s marriage. Comment on her words: “I married him because I thought he was a gentleman… I thought he knew something about breeding but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.”

How does Wilson strike you (describe his appearance, manner of speech and behaviour)?

b) Comment on the details Myrtle emphasizes telling the story of her first meeting with Tom.

How do you understand her words: “All I kept thinking about, over and over was ’You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever!’”

c) What role does Myrtle play with Tom’s prestige and money? Comment on the following: “Myrtle raised her eyebrows in despair at the shiftlessness of the lower orders: Those people! You have to keep after them all the time!’” As you see one moment Myrtle avoids the word “bitch” when buying a dog, the next takes for granted that a total stranger may have a more than friendly interest in meeting her sister.

Summarize your observations of how Myrtle’s traits of character are revealed through her words, manner of speech and behaviour. Point out the peculiarities of her language. Prove that her style bears the stamp of her class. Discuss how F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts a universe of the “lower orders” represented by some minor characters.

a) What do you come to know about Myrtle’s sister? Describe her appearance, tastes, behaviour. What was Catherine’s impression of Monte Carlo? How does this detail characterize her?

b) Speak of the impression the couple of McKees produces on you.

5. In this chapter you meet Tom Buchanan again. What do you think of his treatment of “the lower orders”?

6. Again Gatsby’s name crops up. What is the information about Gatsby you get from the chapter? What effect is achieved by the author by not introducing the main character to the reader on the opening pages of the book? What are the methods by which the narrator informs the reader of some facts, circumstances, and events? Is he always a witness to them?