The Great Gatsby- Chapter 2

What is the “valley of ashes”?

• An area in East Egg where a fire had been many years ago.

• A barren, lower-middle class area separating New York from West Egg.

• An industrial zone

• An imaginary place used as a metaphor for Gatsby’s loneliness

Answer explanation

The "valley of ashes" represents a desolate area between New York and West Egg, symbolizing the moral and social decay resulting from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth, making it a lower-middle class region.

What are the “eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg”?

• Seeing eye dogs that the doctor trains fro the Association of the Blind

• A group of security guards who monitor the doctor’s home and offices

• A new kind of contact lens that the doctor has just developed

• An illustration on a billboard overlooking the valley of ashes

Answer explanation

The "eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg" refer to a large billboard featuring a pair of enormous, disembodied eyes overlooking the valley of ashes in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," symbolizing moral decay.

Who does Tom take Nick to meet?

• .  His mistress

• Dr. T.J. Eckleburg

• His parents

• Gatsby

Answer explanation

Tom takes Nick to meet his mistress, which highlights the complexities of Tom's character and his relationships. This choice reveals Tom's infidelity and the social dynamics at play in the story.

Who are Myrtle and George Wilson?

• Myrtle is Tom’s cousin.  George is her son. 

• George is Tom’s business partner.  Myrtle is George’s wife. 

• Myrtle is Tom’s mistress.  George is Myrtle’s husband. 

• They are the caretakers of Tom’s estate. 

Answer explanation

Myrtle Wilson is Tom Buchanan's mistress, while George Wilson is her husband. This relationship is central to the plot of 'The Great Gatsby', highlighting themes of infidelity and social class.

What does Mrs. Wilson get Tom to buy her while she’s out with Tom and Nick?

• sandwiches for lunch

• a dog

• a new dress

• cuff links for Tom

Answer explanation

Mrs. Wilson asks Tom to buy her a dog while they are out together with Nick, highlighting her desire for companionship and luxury.

Where do the three of them go?

• Tom’s favorite restaurant

• Nick’s office

• The dealer where Tom bought his last car

• The apartment Tom rents and always takes his mistress to

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'The apartment Tom rents and always takes his mistress to' because it directly indicates a specific location associated with Tom's personal life, unlike the other options which are more general or professional.

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Identify Catherine and Mr. and Mrs. McKee.

• Catherine is Nick’s secretary.  Mrs. McKee is her sister, and Mr. McKee is her brother-in-law

• Catherine is Myrtle’s sister.  The McKees live downstairs in the apartment complex

• Catherine is Tom’s cousin.  The McKees are the apartment managers

• Catherine is Mrs. McKee’s best friend.  The McKees are old neighbors of Myrtle’s

Answer explanation

Catherine is identified as Myrtle's sister, which is crucial for understanding their relationship. The McKees are noted to live downstairs in the apartment complex, providing context for their connection to Myrtle.

What does Mr. McKee tell Nick about Gatsby?

• Gatsby is the son of a Texas oil tycoon

• Gatsby has recently been released from a mental hospital

• Gatsby donated half a million dollars to an orphanage in his hometown

•  Gatsby is the nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm

Answer explanation

Mr. McKee tells Nick that Gatsby is the nephew of Kaiser Wilhelm, highlighting Gatsby's mysterious and potentially noble background, which adds to the intrigue surrounding his character.

What reason did Myrtle give for marrying George Wilson?

• She had to do something to get away from her abusive parents.

• She did it to spite George’s former girlfriend

• She thought he was a gentleman; later she found out differently. 

• She didn’t think she would ever find a husband, and she was grateful to him for asking her

Answer explanation

Myrtle married George Wilson because she initially believed he was a gentleman, but later realized he was not as she had thought. This reflects her disillusionment with her choice.

What did Tom do to Myrtle when she mentioned Daisy’s name?

• He hit her and broke her nose

• He laughed and called her a jealous fool

• He taunted her and repeated Daisy’s name several times more

• He ignored her and went on with his conversation with Nick

Answer explanation

When Myrtle mentioned Daisy's name, Tom reacted violently by hitting her and breaking her nose, demonstrating his possessive and aggressive nature.