How does Fitzgerald tell the story in chapter 2 ?

Chapter two is instrumental in, not only allowing us to delve deeper into the character of
Tom Buchannan, but we also encounter the eponymous, enigmatic, Gatsby.

Relatively early on in this chapter, when Tom takes Nick to meet his “mistress” we are
confronted with the symbol of the hard times that most were experiencing in post WW1
America. “This is the valley of ashes……” also the author uses pathetic fallacy to portray
Nicks mood, “Grey land…”Bleak dust…” Subsequently Tom, Nick and Myrtle all head for the
apartment Tom has bought Myrtle in New York, upon their arrival Tom discovers that Myrtle
has organised a party. An altercation ensues whereby Tom strikes Myrtle. In my opinion this
passage shows us Tom’s true character, which shines through his bourgeois façade and
borders on misogyny. “…making a short deft movement Tom Buchannan broke her nose
with his open hand.” This quote further compounds the fact the reader should be horrified
by this violent act, as in contrast to the hyperbole and romantic language used in his
previous descriptions, this is quite succinct, possibly representing the sharpness of said
strike.

The narration of this chapter has a profound effect on how it is perceived, this is shown by
the fact that the sole narrative voice in this chapter is Nick’s, and creates this illusion of an
unreliable narrator where we only see Nick’s perspective. “I think. “ I further shocking point
is that when the group are in Myrtle’s apartment our only account of the nights events are
told by an inebriated character.

Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism is recurrent (Chapter 8) throughout the novel, take the
character of Dr T.J Eckleburg, a seemingly unimportant object, but a reoccurring character at
the least, which leads me to believe that he is a symbol of an authoritative character looking
down upon the valley of ashes. “The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic ; their
retinas are one yard high. They look out of no face, but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow
spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose...but his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless
days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.” This reinforces the idea that
each class of society judges one another and is shown by the character/object of Dr T.J Eckleburg
constantly overseeing the valley of ashes.

In conclusion, the way in which Fitzgerald tells the story in chapter 2 implies certain pending plot
lines, and also gives us a further insight into the characters whilst highlighting certain motifs such as,
the luxurious classic cars and frequent parties. Furthermore Fitzgerald aims to confront the
perverted American dream of attaining happiness through wealth, rather than the happiness in
discovery, he does this with the character of Gatsby who, regardless of the parties he hosts, is still
the subject of speculation and gossip.