The Valley of Ashes (and affairs): Gatsby Chapter 2

Chapter 2 revolved mainly around the relationship between Tom and his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. Upon first introduction of Myrtle, I knew that I didn’t like her. She seemed arrogant and ungrateful, and she treated her husband coldly. I think part of the reason why I do not like her so much is that her husband is a humble man who truly loves Myrtle, but she wants nothing to do with him. Nick’s first glance at Myrtle made me laugh, when he described that “She was in her middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can. Her face, above a spotted dress of dark blue crepe-de-chine, contained no facet or gleam of beauty, but there was an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smoldering” (Fitzgerald 29-30).  Nick, in a somewhat elegant description, describes Myrtle as an ugly woman, with an ugly personality. I liked Nick’s further description of Myrtle and her personality because upon first reading, I thought that she had an ugly personality too. To me, however, it’s no surprise that she has an affair with Tom, as Tom is equally arrogant and ugly in my opinion. Speaking on the affair, I don’t understand why it’s such a big deal for Tom and Myrtle to keep their relationship a secret when almost everyone knows the details of their affair. On their way to Myrtle’s secret apartment in New York City, Nick explains that “Tom Buchanan and his girl and I went up to New York--or not quite together, for Mrs. Wilson sat discreetly in another car. Tom deferred that much to the sensibilities of those East Eggers who might be on the train” (Fitzgerald 31) While I understand that obviously no one would want to admit to an affair, I think that Tom and Myrtle should just make their lives easier and go public with their affair. That way, Tom and Daisy can live without worry of their spouses, Daisy can feel free to find another man, and Mr. Wilson won’t have to live with a woman who doesn’t have the same feelings that he does. But, of course, this is a fictional book set in the 1920’s, so obviously the solution can’t be as simple as that.

Welcome to the Eggs: The Great Gatsby Chapter 1

In the opening of The Great Gatsby, author F. Scott Fitzgerald sets the scene for a hectic summer on Long Island. While I wasn't particularly excited for the rest of the book after reading this chapter, I did like the fact that Fitzgerald started out with detailed descriptions of the characters who will most likely be playing the biggest roles in the novel. What I found the most interesting in this chapter, however, is the portrayal of Tom and Daisy’s marriage. On the subject of an injured knuckle, Daisy claims that “You did it, Tom,” she said accusingly. I know you didn't mean to but you did do it. That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking, physical specimen of a--” (Fitzgerald 16) This quote, and the events that follow it, showed me that Tom and Daisy are both unhappy in their marriage, but neither of the two will leave the other, even with knowledge of affairs and cheating. Tom and Daisy having a rocky marriage also makes the book more interesting in my opinion, because who doesn't love a good relationship scandal? Nick, in my opinion, is the most likable character, due to his down to earth personality, and his lack of an inflated ego. I’m interested to see how he will survive the summer in the Eggs surrounded by wealthy, snobbish people. In the presence of Daisy, Nick describes that “‘You make me feel uncivilized, Daisy’, I confessed on my second glass of corky but rather impressive claret. ‘Can’t you talk about crops or something?’” (Fitzgerald 17) Nick’s confession about him feeling uncivilized around Daisy makes me wonder how he’ll be able to have any type of true relationship with anyone in the Eggs. Jordan Baker, Daisy’s equally gaudy friend, will definitely make Nick’s life interesting in my opinion, as I can definitely predict by their first introduction that a relationship of sorts between the two will begin to blossom further down the road. My first thoughts on The Great Gatsby are mixed. I’m not really interested in reading this book, but since I must, I am curious to see how Nick (my favorite character) will make a name for himself in the Eggs. Besides, I can see some of myself reflected in Nick. While Nick feels uncivilized in the presence of the people in the Eggs, I feel too civilized in the presence of some of the people that live in my area. Is that too harsh? Until Chapter 2...