"The Great Gatsby" Reading Log - Chapter 2

In the second chapter we're introduced to Tom's mistress Myrtle, she also has a husband George Wilson. It was surprising to see that both Tom and Myrtle were having an affair, but neither spouse seemed to have a  clue that anything was going on at all. The way that the author described Myrtle it would seem that she would  be the kind of person to marry someone like George. George was a lifeless grey kind of man, covered in ashes. Yet Myrtle seemed to be a perky exciting and spontaneous women, full of energy and colorful; beautiful. Just the kind of women Tom would enjoy. I think that Myrtle was really only like this with Tom because it was exciting for her to be with a man living "The American Dream"(1). Tom gets joy out of the excitement and reactions he receives from Myrtle. Nothing like Daisy, as she said in chapter one she's "seen, everything, done everything, been everywhere" she seems bored of Tom. We get the feel for two different settings in this chapter as well. The Valley of ashes and New York. The valley of ashes is the home to George and Myrtle Wilson. Its described "This is the valley of ashes-a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys are rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air." So from this description you can get a pretty good idea of how the area may look, poor, grey and desolate. When the book gets into New York, its quite the opposite. New York is full of color, excitement, people and riches! The kind of place where you would find Tom, and a place where i'm sure Myrtle would love to be around. The kind of person who would love to live the american dream.

                                                         Cultivated - New York

Desolate  - Valley of Ashes
 

"The American Dream"