The Great Gatsby Chapter 2
Nick and Tom take a trip to New York City. No reason is given for the trip. A detailed description is given of the dreary, grey landscape, one of grey trees concealing what was once a thriving community, but is now a dull landscape with garish billboards,and run-down communities.
At one point, Tom insists that they disembark the train in order for Nick to meet Tom’s mistress. They arrive at a rundown repair garage, where they meet George Wilson. George’s wife Myrtle appears next… this is Tom’s mistress. When George is out of earshot, Tom subtly tells Myrtle to meet him away from the garage, which she does a short while after Nick and Tom depart. Myrtle tells George that she is visiting her sister.
The three of them board the train to continue to New York. There, Myrtle sees a man selling puppies, and she insists upon buying one. She purchases some cheap tabloid publications, as well. Next, they continue to Tom and Myrtle’s apartment.
Upon arrival at the 5th Avenue apartment, Myrtle calls her sister Caroline, and invites her to join them. She also calls her friends, a couple named McKee. Throughout the afternoon, the six drink whiskey liberally. Our narrator Nick notes that this is only one of two times he has ever been drunk.
In conversation, we learn that Mr. McKee is an artistic photographer, albeit one whose belief in his artistic talent seems to exceed his dull skills. We learn that Caroline happens to know Nick’s neighbor, Mr. Gatsby, and mentions that she believes him to be related to Kaiser Wilhelm. Catherine also mentions that both Tom and Myrtle both hate their respective spouses, but that the reason they do not divorce and become a couple is because Tom’s wife, Daisy, is a devout Catholic, and does not believe in divorce. Nick notes to himself that this is an odd and complicated lie, as he knows that Daisy is not Catholic.
Mrs. McKee mentions that she almost married “a little kyke” who was beneath her, but avoided making the mistake. Myrtle laments the notion that she DID marry a man like that, well beneath her own standard.
The McKees are of lower social status, and over the course of the afternoon and evening, appear to be present as a bid to rub shoulders with perceived higher-class people.
As Myrtle continues to drink, she becomes loose with her words, and rants about Daisy. Tom becomes quickly infuriated, and with a single blow, breaks Myrtle’s nose. Oddly, little shock is expressed by the guests, or even by Myrtle herself, as cleaning up the blood and tending to her seem to be routine.
However, this event brings the festivities to a close. As the McKees leave the apartment, Mr. McKee extends an invitation to Nick to visit sometime.
Analysis:
Nick sees the grey, hopeless side of the area, along with the hopeless souls trapped here. He learns more of Tom’s unpleasant superiority, and is witness to others around him who desperately wish to break into the social circles of the privileged, even when they are not of appropriate status. Nick observes, perhaps sullenly, as the scant shreds of dignity in those around him are reduced to babbling arguments and shallow statements. Nick’s respect for these people, and perhaps even people in general, is reduced to disappointment.
