Gatsby Chapter 2 Valley of Ashes Worksheet Answers

Exploring the Valley of Ashes in The Great Gatsby

The Valley of Ashes, a desolate and poverty-stricken area between Long Island and New York City, plays a significant role in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. This worksheet will guide you through the key events, themes, and symbolism in Chapter 2, where the Valley of Ashes is introduced.

Character Analysis

• George Wilson: The owner of a run-down gas station in the Valley of Ashes. He is a working-class man who is struggling to make ends meet.
• Myrtle Wilson: George’s wife, who is having an affair with Tom Buchanan. She is desperate to escape her dull and unfulfilling life.
• Tom Buchanan: Daisy’s husband and a wealthy, arrogant man who uses his power and influence to exploit those around him.

Events in Chapter 2

• Nick and Tom take a detour through the Valley of Ashes on their way to New York City.
• They stop at George Wilson’s gas station, where Tom has an affair with Myrtle.
• Myrtle and Tom discuss their plans to meet in the city, highlighting the secrecy and deception involved in their relationship.
• George Wilson is oblivious to the affair, but is aware of Tom’s influence and control over his wife.

Themes

• Class divisions: The Valley of Ashes serves as a stark contrast to the wealth and opulence of Long Island and New York City. The contrast highlights the deep-seated class divisions in American society during the 1920s.
• Moral decay: The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of moral decay and corruption, reflecting the decay of the American Dream.
• Deception and secrecy: The affair between Tom and Myrtle is built on deception and secrecy, highlighting the hypocrisy and dishonesty that pervades the wealthy elite.

Symbolism

• The Valley of Ashes: A desolate and barren wasteland that represents the moral decay and corruption of society.
• The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg: A giant billboard of a pair of eyes that seem to be watching over the Valley of Ashes. The eyes symbolize God or a higher power judging the characters’ actions.
• The Gas Station: A symbol of the monotony and desperation of working-class life.

Notes

📝 Note: The Valley of Ashes is a pivotal setting in the novel, as it highlights the contrasts between wealth and poverty, and the moral decay that pervades society.

📝 Note: The characters' interactions in the Valley of Ashes reveal their true nature, highlighting the hypocrisy and deception that defines the wealthy elite.

Summary

Chapter 2 introduces the Valley of Ashes, a desolate and poverty-stricken area that serves as a symbol of moral decay and corruption. The events in this chapter reveal the class divisions, deception, and secrecy that pervade the wealthy elite. Through the characters’ interactions, Fitzgerald highlights the hypocrisy and dishonesty that defines the American Dream.