Great Gatsby Chapter 2

What is the railroad called and where is it located?

Valley of ashes

How is the Valley of Ashes described?

a farm where ashes grow like wheat, grotesque gardens, ashes take the form of houses and chimneys, and working men

What does the valley symbolize

a place of desolation, symbolizing moral and social decay, contrasting with the opulence of the surrounding areas. It also represents the consequences of the American Dream and the loss of hope among the working class.

What watches over the valley of ashes?

the eyes of doctor T.J. Eckleburg, his eyes are blue and gigantic. A pair of yellow spectacles pass over a nonexistent nose. The doctor worked in the borough of Queens and then “sank into eternal blindness of forgot and moved away.”

What happened over time to the billboard?

his eyes dimmed over the “solemn dumping ground.”

What do the eyes on the billboard symbolize?

They symbolize a number of things, God’s eyes watching over the immoral acts of society, moral decay and loss of values, and the emptiness of the American dream.

What is the valley of ashes bounded to on one side?

a small foul river, it has a drawbridge which lets passengers on waiting trains through, they often wait and stare at the dismal scene for as long as 30 mins.

Do many people know about the affair?

Yes, Nick says that many people who knew of Tom knew of his affair (27)

Was their affair secret?

No, they often appeared in popular restaurants together

Did Nick want to meet the mistress?

No, he was only curious, he had no desire to meet her

When the train stopped one afternoon, how did Nick get of the train with Tom

Tom jumped to his feet and took hold of Nick’s elbow, forcing him to leave the train car and he insisted, “We’re getting off! I want you to meet my girl.”

Was Tom determined to have Nick meet her?

His determination bordered on violence, yes. Tom had chosen to believe that Nick had nothing to do that Sunday afternoon

What was the only building in sight?

it was a small block of yellow brick sitting on the edge of the wasteland, it was “contiguous” to nothing

What were the three shops it contained?

an all-night restaurant, vacant, and a garage for repairs

What is the garage called?

Cars Bought and Sold, owned by George B. Wilson

How did Nick describe the interior?

unprosperous and bare (I think it describes Wilson’s life also)

What was the only car in the interior?

a dust covered wreck of a Ford which crouched in a dim corner

How does Nick describe George Wilson?

blonde, spiritless man, anemic, and faintly handsome

How did George react to seeing Nick and Tom?

A damp gleam of hope sprang into his eyes (maybe because he could make money off Tom?)

How does Tom greet George?

he slaps him on the shoulder and calls him “Wilson, old man.”

How do Wilson and Tom know each other?

he is selling a car to Tom

How does Nick describe Myrtle?

a thickish figure, middle thirties, faintly stout, she carried her weight best she could, her face was not beautiful but she had a vitalizing effect