The Great Gatsby 2

Chapter 2

Pages 23-38

In chapter two, Tom Buchanan insists that Nick come with him to see his mistress, Myrtle Wilson, at George Wilson’s auto shop. Once they meet Myrtle, the three of them continue on to New York where Myrtle decides to purchase a puppy. Myrtle invites her sister, Catherine, and Mr. and Mrs. McKee over to their apartment for a party that Tom and Myrtle host. With the exception of Catherine, everyone at the party gets drunk and because Myrtle repeats Daisy’s name multiple times, Nick gets angry and punches Myrtle, breaking her nose. After seeing the blood soaked towels, Nick leaves the party, taking a train home.

Myrtle Wilson

Quote: "Mrs. Wilson had changed her costume some time before, and was now attired in an elaborate afternoon dress of cream-colored chiffon, which gave out a continual rustle as she swept about the room. With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change." (30)

Description/Qualities: Self-centered; Thick figured; middle thirties; stout; carried her surplus flesh sensuously; face contained no gleam of beauty; vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smoldering; unhappy in her marriage; demanding;

Role: Although Mrs. Wilson is married to George Wilson, she is having an affair with Tom because she is unhappy in her marriage. Myrtle causes separation between Daisy and Tom because she is moving the two of them further apart from each other. Myrtle is selfish and always wants to be the center of attention. She wears the pants in her marriage because she has power to have two loves. It is a “secret,” but everybody knows.

Quote from chapter:

“Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”

This quote stood out to me because it shows the true, aggressive side of Tom Buchanan. In chapter one, Tom’s physical description is described as a hulking physical specimen. It goes on to say that he is great and big. This quote completely exemplifies this description. This quote also shows how Tom is defending Daisy because he still has feelings for her. Because Tom broke Myrtle’s nose, he may not fully love her; He may just be using her.