Chapter 2

Question 1

This is the valley of ashes

Answer 1

• A description of the area between the eggs and Manhattan, known as Queens.
  -It’s an industrial area, that is home to the working classes.
  -Those who drive the engine of American capitalism.
  -‘Ashes’ imply literal death and the death of being locked out of the life of the rich.
  -West Egg in chapter one is described as ‘young breath-giving air’ a complete contrast to Queens.

Question 2

He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive

Answer 2

-Tom is describing George Wilson as stupid, for not knowing Myrtle is having an affair with him.
-He could also think this because George doesn’t seem to be enjoying life, showing Toms ignorance to those who didn’t inherit wealth, links to Nick being reminded by his father about this.

Question 3

‘It’s a bitch’ said Tom decisively. ‘Here’s your money’

Answer 3

-A description of the dog Tom just bought for Myrtle, showing how he can just buy and sell lives with no regard for their welfare.
-Perhaps a description to the way he treats Myrtle as well, a bitch who can be bought with money.

Question 4

Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment

Answer 4

-This is what Myrtle believes those with money act like, it’s only something she can put on as she wasn’t actually born with wealth, it comes off as a performance.
-‘Violently’ implies that she associates aggression with the upper class, as Tom is probably her only model for it.

Question 5

They say he’s nephew or cousin to Kaiser Wilhelm’s

Answer 5

-The rumour about Gatsby links him to the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, lending him this sense of mystery, romance and old money, due to this familial link to an aristocratic European family.
-It also foreshadows Gatsby bitter end as Kaiser Wilhelm was assassinated.

Question 6

Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand

Answer 6

-His movements are swift, decisive and brutal.
-We are given his full family name as a reminder of his status.
-‘open hand’ refers to the only form of generosity that the rich are capable of towards the working class, violence and suffering.