The Great Gatsby Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the valley of the ashes?

An industrial zone on the way into the city that is between the West Egg and New York.

What are the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg?

An old eye doctor advertisement on a billboard near the city (symbolizes God).

Who did Tom take Nick to meet?

Myrtle Wilson - his mistress.

Identify Myrtle and George Wilson.

Myrtle is Tom's mistress and George is her husband. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mrs. Wilson buy while she was out with Tom and Nick?

A puppy. Signup and view all the answers

Where did Myrtle, Tom, and Nick go? What was on 158th street?

They went to New York; Tom's apartment was on 158th street. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Catherine?

Myrtle's sister. Signup and view all the answers

Who are Mr. and Mrs. McKee?

Neighbors that live in the apartment building. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mr. McKee tell Nick about Gatsby?

That he's a nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm and that's where his money comes from. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Myrtle marry George Wilson?

She thought he was a gentleman and knew something about breeding. Signup and view all the answers

What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy?

Broke her nose. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Gatsby's wealth and what items represented it.

He flaunts it but is willing to share his things. Items that represent his wealth are his house, plane, car, library, and his parties. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of people come to Gatsby's party?

Anybody - people from the East and West Egg and also famous people. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Nick Carraway go to the party?

Gatsby's chauffeur sent an invitation to Nick and plus Nick wants to know more about Gatsby too. Signup and view all the answers

How does Nick meet Gatsby?

They met at a table in the garden and, at first, Nick didn't know that he was talking to Gatsby. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the stories about Gatsby?

Some rumors are going on that he killed someone or he might be a German spy. Signup and view all the answers

Is Gatsby a phony?

True Signup and view all the answers

Describe Nick's relationship with Jordan.

Nick met Jordan in the first chapter and found her very attractive. He is intrigued with her and occasionally thinks he's in love, but they aren't in love. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Valley of the Ashes

Represents an industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York City, highlighting the moral and social decay of society.

Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg

Billboard advertisement featuring a pair of large, disembodied blue eyes, symbolizing the idea of an all-seeing entity or "God".

Tom Buchanan's Mistress

Tom introduces Nick to Myrtle Wilson, his affair partner, showcasing his infidelity.

Myrtle and George Wilson

Myrtle is Tom's mistress; George is her unsuspecting husband, representing the themes of deception and societal class differences.

Purchase During Outing

Myrtle buys a puppy, illustrating her desire for material possessions despite her unsatisfactory life.

Trip to New York

Tom, Myrtle, and Nick travel to Tom’s apartment on 158th street, where Tom conducts his affair with Myrtle.

Catherine

Myrtle's sister, who adds to the social dynamics and moral ambiguity of the characters involved.

Mr. and Mrs. McKee

Neighbors in the apartment building, representing the mixed social circle surrounding Tom and Myrtle.

Gatsby's Background

Mr. McKee tells Nick that Gatsby is related to Kaiser Wilhelm, suggesting Gatsby's mysterious and potentially dubious sources of wealth.

Myrtle's Marriage Motivation

Myrtle marries George under the illusion of social status, thinking he possesses gentlemanly qualities.

Violence Against Myrtle

Tom reacts violently when Myrtle mentions Daisy, breaking her nose, which symbolizes his dominance and the abusive nature of their relationship.

Gatsby's Wealth

Gatsby's ostentatious wealth is displayed through his mansion, lavish parties, luxury cars, and a personal plane, showing his desire to impress.

Party Guests

Gatsby’s parties attract a diverse crowd, including people from both East and West Egg as well as celebrities, illustrating the era's social extravagance.

Nick's Invitation

Nick attends Gatsby's party after receiving an invitation from the chauffeur, motivated by curiosity about Gatsby’s world.

Meeting Gatsby

Nick unknowingly converses with Gatsby at the party, initially unaware of his identity; their discussion reveals common experiences as veterans of World War I.

Rumors About Gatsby

Various rumors circulate about Gatsby, including allegations of murder and espionage, reflecting the mystique surrounding him.

Gatsby's "Phoniness"

Despite hosting grand parties, Gatsby does not partake in them, indicating his superficial lifestyle aimed at attracting Daisy’s attention rather than genuine social enjoyment.

Nick's Relationship with Jordan

Nick feels attracted to Jordan Baker but grapples with his conscience due to his existing commitments, reflecting his inner honesty versus societal indulgence.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 2 of 'The Great Gatsby' with these short answer flashcards. Explore key terms and concepts like the 'valley of the ashes' and the 'eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg'. Perfect for literature students and fans of classic novels.