Chapter two is the introduction of more characters, and
further insight into those that already exist...
Narrative
perspectives/voices:
The chapter starts as a description of the drive between ‘West
Egg and New York’, from the perspective of Nick. Part of Nick’s narration is
through accounts and random ‘facts’ that he has picked up on- ‘the fact that he
had one was insisted upon everywhere he was known. His acquaintances resented
the fact that he turned up in popular cafes with her and leaving her at a
table, sauntered about, chatting with whomsoever he knew.’- This gives the
reader more insight to the characters of Tom, Myrtle (referred to as ‘her’,
being Tom’s mistress), and Nick. Tom is evidently exceedingly powerful, as he
overrules and disregards any negative comments against him and his ways. Myrtle
is shown as more of a background character, disregarded and not introduced to ‘whomsoever
he knew’, and ‘left’. With the repetition of ‘fact’, Nick is shown to be more
of a weaker character, as he has to prove that his statements are true
repeatedly; yet still does not have evidence to prove these points. Fitzgerald
shows him to be like this, so that the reader automatically sways towards his
view, but somewhat looses trust for him whilst doing this; as he does not make
his ‘facts’ clear.
Time Period:
Timing in this chapter is not as frequently noted, the first
mention of it is simply stating, ‘it was a few days before the fourth of July’-
highlighting that Nick is likely to be concentrating on other things, like how
Tom is perceived with a mistress, what Daisy’s reaction is to Tom..also
reflecting on the questions in the readers’ minds.At the party, timing passes by rapidly and inconsistently- going from ‘eight o’clock’ to ‘nine o’clock- almost immediately afterward I looked at my watch and found it was ten.’ This reflects the drunken antics that passed, and the chapter ends very suddenly and with a random finish, ‘then I was lying half asleep in the cold lower level of the Pennsylvania Station, staring at the morning Tribune, and waiting for the four o’clock train.’ As the chapter begins and ends with travelling, it makes the whole chapter seem quite distant in its relevance to the narrative; but also gives the story some vague context with its perplexing storyline, adding to the confusion of the story, but also giving it some substance and reality, and consequently making the reader’s views on each character stronger, or totally different.
Setting:
The setting is travelling to New York, the garage –
described as a ‘solemn dumping ground’ ‘valley of ashes’ and ‘dismal scene’;
introduced to ‘Doctor Eckleburg’s persistent stare’. After buying a dog through
the ‘taxi-window’, they go to ‘the apartment’: ‘the’ shows that it must have
great significance in events, or has been frequently used before- as there is
no question as to which ‘apartment’ it may be. ‘The apartment’ turns out to be
down ‘158th Street’. Tom gets some whisky from a ‘locked bureau door’;
also showing that he must be used to the apartment, as he knows where/ how to
get into bureaus... After a random series of events, Nick is found in an
elevator, then he is ‘standing by his bed’, before ending up at ‘Pennsylvania Station’.
This confusion of places and events gives the impression that Nick is a bit of
a lightweight, confirmed with the statement ‘I have been drunk just twice in my
life’.
Narrative Techniques, Elements
and Themes:
Poetic prose; Use of poetic writing style- ‘when he saw us a
damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes.’ The use of poetry prose
makes the reader feel increasingly sympathetic for Wilson and what is happening
to him unknowingly.
Descriptive detail; ‘The
eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic- their retinas one yard
high...’
Sensual description; ‘thickish
figure’ to describe Mrs Wilson’s body as Nick first sees her.
Surreal description; shown by the drunken state that Nick
was in.
References; lots of
references to newspapers throughout the chapter- ‘Town Tattle’ is mentioned
repeatedly, and ‘Tribune’ at the end. Texts mentioned: ‘Simon Called Peter’:
this could be a Biblical parallel, as ‘Simon’ means ‘reed’, whereas ‘Peter’
means ‘rock’- possibly signifying the relation between Tom, his wife and his
mistress, as Simon’s transition of a changed name...Daisy became outdated,
moved onto Myrtle, Myrtle repeats ‘Daisy, Daisy, Daisy...’ –significance of
names....Peter also betrayed Jesus, said he didn’t even know Him 3 times.
Colloquial language; ‘he
was sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear..’
Time references; ‘few days before the fourth of July’ ‘eight
o’clock’ ‘nine o’clock- and almost immediately afterward I looked at my watch
and found it was ten.’ Highlights drunkenness.
Use of names; References to ‘Simon Called Peter’ text:
Biblical Parallel with names—possibly relation to Daisy, Tom and Myrtle? Peter
betrayed Jesus, 3 times denial.
Language of
altercation; Tom and Myrtle argue- ‘‘I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-’
with a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.’
Use of specific punctuation:
ellipses; this highlights the fact that Nick is drunk, and does not recall a
lot of the events that took place. This links to the random time references
used. - ‘Beauty and the Beast...Loneliness...Old Grocery Horse...Brook’n
Bridge...’
Colours; ‘ash grey men’ ‘grey cars’ ‘invisible track’ ‘grey
land’ ‘bleak dust’ ‘blue and gigantic’ ‘yellow spectacles’ ‘yellow brick’ ‘light
blue eyes’ ‘spotted dress of dark blue crepe-de-chine’ ‘flush in the eye’ ‘dark
suit’ ‘brown washrag of a back’ ‘white sheep’ ‘red hair’ ‘cream-coloured
chiffon’ ‘yellow windows’
Themes; use of
colour, texts and newspapers, use of names, judgement and betrayal.
