Chapter Two

  1. The description of the “valley of ashes” opens this chapter. On a literal level, what is it? What might it represent symbolically?
  2. Why does Fitzgerald have Myrtle live above a garage on “the edge of the wasteland”?
  3. Why is Myrtle initially attracted to Tom? How does Fitzgerald indicate that she is not an intellectual?
  4. In what way is the party in the apartment different from the dinner at the Buchanan’sin Chapter One? How are they similar?
  5. What social classes are represented at the party? In which of these classes does Nick belong?
  6. Does Wilson suspect Myrtle is having an affair?
  7. Why does Tom break Myrtle’s nose? Support your answer.
  8. What do we learn about Gatsby? How do the rumors about him contribute to his reputation and image?
  9. Do you think Tom will leave Daisy for Myrtle? Support your answer.
  10. Notice how often and in what context the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg are mentioned. What do you think their significance might be?
  11. Continue identifying Fitzgerald’s use of color and how it connects to specific characters.
  12. What does the following quotation help us understand about Nick’s character? “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (40).

Chapter Two

  1. The description of the “valley of ashes” opens this chapter. On a literal level, what is it? What might it represent symbolically?
  2. Why does Fitzgerald have Myrtle live above a garage on “the edge of the wasteland”?
  3. Why is Myrtleinitially attracted to Tom? How does Fitzgerald indicate that she is not an intellectual?
  4. In what way is the party in the apartment different from the dinner at the Buchanan’s in Chapter One? How are they similar?
  5. What social classes are represented at the party? In which of these classes does Nick belong?
  6. Does Wilson suspect Myrtle is having an affair?
  7. Why does Tom break Myrtle’s nose? Support your answer.
  8. What do we learn about Gatsby? How do the rumors about him contribute to his reputation and image?
  9. Do you think Tom will leave Daisy for Myrtle? Support your answer.
  10. Notice how often and in what context the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg are mentioned. What do you think their significance might be?
  11. Continue identifying Fitzgerald’s use of color and how it connects to specific characters.
  12. What does the following quotation help us understand about Nick’s character? “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (40).