Question

chapter two
briefly summarize what happens in this chapter:
find a quote to describe the eyes of doctor t. j. eckleburg:
*just your opinion! make a prediction: think about their placement.
what might these eyes symbolize?
myrtle
who is myrtle?
is nick excited to meet her? □yes □no □maybe
why might he feel this way?
words/phrases from the text which describe myrtle:
in what way are daisy and myrtle different?
lets talk about the set
in your own words, briefly explain, what is valley of asl
examine the first 3 paragraphs of this chapter. find as many examples as you can of each of the following:
adjectives
verbs
how does this setting provide contrast with the previous chapter?
how does this valley of ashes relate to the economic context of the novel?
which famous actress would you cast as myrtle in a film version?
if myrtle were an animal, she would be...
because...
vocabulary
grotesque
impenetrable
solemn
anemic
incessant
hauteur
strident

Explanation:

This worksheet covers Chapter 2 of The Great Gatsby. Below are targeted answers for each section, based on the text:

1. Brief Chapter Summary: Nick travels with Tom Wilson to the Valley of Ashes, meets Tom's mistress Myrtle Wilson, and they go to a New York apartment where Myrtle hosts a rowdy party; Tom breaks Myrtle's nose after she taunts him about Daisy.
2. Dr. T. J. Eckleburg's Eyes:

• Quote: "But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground."
• Symbolism: They likely symbolize a distant, unjudging (or judging) all-seeing presence, like a forgotten god watching the moral decay of the characters.

1. Myrtle Wilson:

• Who is she? Tom Buchanan's married mistress, wife of George Wilson, a mechanic in the Valley of Ashes.
• Is Nick excited? □YES ☑NO □MAYBE
• Why? He is uncomfortable with Tom's infidelity and the deception of Daisy.
• Text descriptions: "faintly stout", "sensuous", "smouldering", "vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smouldering"
• Daisy vs. Myrtle: Daisy is wealthy, refined, quiet, and from old money; Myrtle is working-class, loud, crass, and desperate for wealth and status.
• Famous actress casting: Jennifer Coolidge (for her bold, loud, socially climbing energy)
• Animal comparison: A peacock, because she is ostentatious, craves attention and luxury, and tries to put on a glamorous, showy persona to hide her humble background.

1. Valley of Ashes:

• Definition: A desolate, industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York City, covered in ash and soot, home to working-class people like the Wilsons.
• First 3 paragraphs:
• Adjectives: desolate, gray, crumbling, solemn, faint, thick
• Verbs: brood, grow, stretch, rise, fall, linger
• Contrast with Chapter 1: Chapter 1 is set in the wealthy, bright, lush neighborhoods of East and West Egg; the Valley of Ashes is dark, poor, and decaying, a stark opposite of the privileged world of Daisy and Tom.
• Economic context: It represents the forgotten working class that supports the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy in East/West Egg and New York; it is the product of the excess and carelessness of the upper class, who ignore the human cost of their wealth.

1. Vocabulary Definitions:

• Grotesque: Ugly or distorted in a strange, disturbing way
• Impenetrable: Impossible to pass through, understand, or get into
• Solemn: Serious, formal, and without humor
• Anemic: Weak, pale, and lacking energy; or, lacking substance
• Incessant: Continuing without stopping or pausing
• Hauteur: Arrogant pride or snobbery
• Strident: Loud, harsh, and grating to the ear

Answer:

1. Chapter Summary: Nick accompanies Tom to the Valley of Ashes, meets Tom's mistress Myrtle, and attends a chaotic NYC party where Tom injures Myrtle.
2. Dr. Eckleburg:

• Quote: "But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground."
• Symbolism: A distant, all-seeing symbol of moral oversight.

1. Myrtle Wilson:

• Identity: Tom's working-class mistress, married to George Wilson.
• Nick's Excitement: No
• Reason: He disapproves of Tom's infidelity.
• Text Descriptors: "faintly stout", "sensuous", "smouldering vitality"
• Daisy vs. Myrtle: Daisy is refined/old money; Myrtle is crass/working-class.
• Actress Casting: Jennifer Coolidge
• Animal: Peacock (craves luxury, attention, and performs a glamorous persona)

1. Valley of Ashes:

• Definition: A desolate industrial wasteland between West Egg and NYC, home to the working poor.
• First 3 Paragraphs:
• Adjectives: desolate, gray, crumbling, solemn, thick
• Verbs: brood, grow, stretch, rise, linger
• Chapter 1 Contrast: Opposes the wealthy, lush, bright neighborhoods of East/West Egg.
• Economic Context: It represents the exploited working class that enables the upper class's lavish lifestyles, highlighting the inequality of 1920s America.

1. Vocabulary:

• Grotesque: Disturbingly ugly/distorted
• Impenetrable: Impossible to enter or understand
• Solemn: Serious and formal
• Anemic: Weak, lacking energy/substance
• Incessant: Unstopping
• Hauteur: Arrogant snobbery
• Strident: Loud, harsh, grating