Due 01/20/16
Name_______________________
Date_______________
The Great Gatsby: Chapter 2 Reading and Study Guide
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they appear in the novel.
Identify one synonym and one antonym for each word.
Desolate
Contiguous
Apathetic ________________________________________________________________________
Languid __________________________________________________________________________
Hauteur ______________________________________________________________________
Sumptuous ________________________________________________________________________
Oculist _________________________________________________________________________
Immoderately _______________________________________________________________________
Disdain _____________________________________________________________________________
Impenetrable ________________________________________________________________________
Haughtily _________________________________________________________________________
II. Allusions, symbols, and historical references:
valley of ashes
borough
crepe-de-chine
John D. Rockefeller
Kaiser Wilhelm
Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes _____________________________________________________________
III. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the novel.
symbol __________________________________________________________________________
motif _______________________________________________________________________________
Due 01/20/16
quality narrator _______________________________________________________________________
irony ______________________________________________________________________________
What is an example of irony in this chapter? __________________________________________
direct characterization__________________________________________________________________
indirect characterization________________________________________________________________
IV. QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.
1. How does Nick meet Tom’s mistress?
2. How does Myrtle react to Tom’s arrival?
3. Describe George Wilson. How does he react to Tom’s arrival?
4. How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses?
5. Why, according to Catherine, has Tom not left Daisy to marry Myrtle?
6. Why did Tom break Myrtle’s nose? How is this consistent with the author’s description of him in Chapter I?
Judging by his treatment of Myrtle and his wife Daisy, what seems to be Tom’s attitude toward women?
7. Describe the "valley of ashes." What does it look like and what does it represent?
8. Describe Mr. Wilson and Myrtle. Do they seem to fit into the setting?
9. What more have you learned about Nick in this chapter? Is he similar or different than the people he spends
his time with?
10. Describe the setting of the valley of ashes where George and Myrtle live. What aspects of the setting imply
that it is intended to have a symbolic meaning as well as a literal one?
11. How does Fitzgerald describe Myrtle Wilson? Does her physical appearance reflect her character in any
way?
12. Compare the setting of the party in this chapter with the setting of the party in Chapter One.
Due 01/20/16
13. Why does Tom attach Myrtle at the end of the party? How does this exemplify Fitzgerald’s description of
Tom in Chapter One?
V. Paragraph: Write a paragraph answer to the following question. Use quotes to support your answer.
14. What qualities are revealed in this chapter about Tom? Make sure you give specific examples.