- The Valley of Ashes- In order to get to the city, Tom and Nick drive through the Valley of Ashes. The valley is described as "a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens, where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air (pg. 27)." The Valley of Ashes symbolizes dread and poverty, in a story where everyone is supposedly happy and well-off. Tom even refers to it, saying to Nick, "Terrible place, isn't it? (30)?" This is also where George and Myrtle Wilson live.
- New York City- Tom, Nick, and Tom's mistress Myrtle take the train from the Valley of Ashes, and spend the majority of Chapter Two all together in New York City. Full of alcohol, adultery, and violence, the city is a great representation of the sin that takes place in the Great Gatsby. After all, Tom practically flaunts Myrtle all over the city, despite both of them being married. Everyone is drinking whiskey throughout the chapter, despite it being illegal at the time. And, at the end of the chapter, Tom even breaks Myrtle's nose. The city is full of all that is bad and wrong during the time period.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Location in Chapter Two
In Chapter Two, we learn about new locations- the Valley of Ashes and New York City:
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7 comments:
Awesome quotes! And I love how you described how fast-paced and sinful the city is by adding in the Tom flaunts Myrtle.
i agree with how you described the City of Ashes and liked how you said it was the opposite of how everything is portrayed as nice and perfect
I like the contrast in locations as the author uses these two spots to show the relationship of Tom and Myrtle once they leave East Egg.
I like how you describe the city for what it truly is in the book and give great examples with it.
I agree that the Valley of Ashes symbolizes dread and poverty. The description of the Valley in the book really makes it sound like a hopeless and horrible place, so I also thought it could be symbolism for loss of hope for society.
I loved the quotes. I agree with you and how you say the city contradicts how everything is viewed.
Juliana, your descriptions and analysis are spot on. You are pulling great quotes that you can refer back to later.
When responding to these blogs, you should be putting some more effort and thought into it. The response does not have to be long but you should try to make some connections or draw conclusions.
Why does Tom have to take his mistress to NYC to have an affair? Why not just stay with her in the Eggs or even in the Valley of Ashes? And what does it say about Tom that his mistress is from the Valley of Ashes?
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