SETTING (Valley of Ashes & NYC)
This desolate place lies between West Egg and New York City.
What is the Valley of Ashes?
Tom Buchanan’s mistress.
Who is Myrtle Wilson?
These giant eyes watch over the Valley of Ashes.
What are the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg?
This substance is consumed heavily at Myrtle’s apartment.
What is alcohol (whiskey)?
This theme is shown by Myrtle’s desire for money and status.
What is the American Dream?
The Valley of Ashes is described as being covered in this substance.
What is ash?
Myrtle’s husband, who owns the garage in the Valley of Ashes.
Who is George Wilson?
The eyes are painted on this object.
What is a billboard (or advertisement)?
These two characters invite guests to the apartment.
Who are Myrtle and Tom?
This theme is shown by Tom’s treatment of George Wilson.
What is class inequality?
This type of business is owned by George Wilson.
What is a garage?
The narrator who goes to New York with Tom.
Who is Nick Carraway?
The Valley of Ashes most closely symbolizes this problem in society.
What is moral decay / poverty / the forgotten working class?
This magazine appears multiple times in the apartment.
What is Town Tattle?
Nick feels both attracted to and disturbed by life in the city, showing this idea.
What is being “within and without”?
The apartment where Myrtle’s party takes place is located in this city.
What is New York City?
This character uses physical violence to assert control.
Who is Tom Buchanan?
The faded condition of Eckleburg’s eyes may symbolize this.
What is the absence of God or moral guidance?
This lie is told about why Tom and Daisy cannot get divorced.
What is that Daisy is Catholic?
This chapter suggests that wealth often leads to this behavior.
What is carelessness or moral corruption?
This detail shows the Valley of Ashes is a place people are forced to see but do not want to notice.
What is the train stopping by the ash-heaps?
This character changes personality when she puts on an expensive dress.
Who is Myrtle Wilson?
This object Myrtle buys represents her desire to appear wealthy.
What is the dog?
This moment shows the party turning from playful to dangerous.
What is Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose?
The violent ending of the chapter emphasizes this message.
What is the abuse of power by the wealthy?