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The Great Gatsby Chapter 2: Study Guide

Chapter 2 shifts the novel’s focus from glamour to moral decay. It introduces key settings and conflicts that shape the story’s social criticism. This guide breaks down what happens, why it matters, and how to study it.

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Chapter 2 Summary (What Happens)

Nick travels with Tom to the Valley of Ashes, an industrial wasteland between wealthy communities. Tom introduces Myrtle Wilson, with whom he is having an affair. The chapter ends with a chaotic apartment gathering that reveals Tom’s violence and Myrtle’s illusions of status.

Key Characters and Relationships

Tom Buchanan shows dominance and cruelty, using wealth to control others. Myrtle Wilson seeks escape from her marriage and believes money can elevate her identity. George Wilson appears trapped and powerless, highlighting the imbalance between rich and poor.

Major Themes and Symbols

The Valley of Ashes represents moral and social decay beneath American wealth. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg suggest judgment and the absence of spiritual values. Power, class division, and corruption are central themes developed through Tom’s behavior.

Why Chapter 2 Matters

This chapter exposes the cost of wealth and sets up conflicts that drive later events. It contrasts sharply with East Egg’s elegance and prepares readers to question the American Dream presented in the novel.

What is the Valley of Ashes in Chapter 2?

It is an industrial area symbolizing decay and inequality, showing the consequences of wealth built on exploitation.

Why is Tom’s behavior important?

Tom’s actions reveal his abuse of power and foreshadow how wealth protects immoral behavior throughout the novel.

What should I focus on for essays or quizzes?

Focus on symbolism, class conflict, and how this chapter contrasts appearance versus reality.

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