Chapter 2 Pg. 23-38

Nick goes out with Tom and finds himself in the valley of ashes, where structures seem to be made of dusk and the mysterious eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg seem to lurk over the scenery. Tom soon leads Nick to the George B. Wilson garage, were he unwillingly meets Tom’s mistress, Myrtle Wilson. Taken to “visit her sister”, Mertyl is treated to a small shopping spree in New York City, and then takes Nick to her apartment where she plans a party among her friends. During the party, Nick wishes to escape the rumors and drunken conversation. However it is not until Tom breaks his Myrtle’s nose in anger that Nick’s wish is finally granted.

Myrtle Wilson:

* “Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment, and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her, until she seemed to be revolving on a noisy, creaking pivot through the smoky air.”

* I don’t find a lot of good qualityies in Mrs. Wilson mainly because she cheats on her husband and tries to justify it by stating he is unworthy of her, she uses Tom for his wealthy, and she boasts her valuables in others faces to make them seem lesser compared to herself.

* Myrtle is a character who I believe will cause a major issue among the spouses in this novel. She is involved with 3 different relationships so far and I feel that this will ultimately bite her in the butt sooner or later. However I do believe that her character will give rise to the profound discontent all the spouses have acquired because of their relationships, leading to the eruption of truth and powerful feelings. I also feel she provides good insight on the superficiality of the rich and allows the audience to see how shallow and conceited the rich really were during this era and this time period. I feel that this idea of the arrogant rich is already introduced as a main theme in this novel.

“And Tom’s the first sweetie I ever had.” –Myrtle Wilson

The irony in this quote is that right after this statement was made Myrtle is punched in the face by Tom while having a conversation about Daisy. This shows the true motives behind Myrtle and most rich people of this time; they are ignorant and shallow. Through the example of Myrtle, we consistently see her obsession with money and obtaining the image of being rich. Though Myrtle and her husband are not high in social status, she is willing to be a mistress to Tom in order to live within this whole alter ego. However both are willing to fool themselves into thinking their relationship has good intention, however Nick’s encounter with them proves that their relationship is not mutual love, but the desperation of two people to get whatever they want despite the cost. These characters are already illustrating their corrupt values through lying and deception.