Chapter 2-the Great Gatsby

Chapter 2 In chapter two of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses many methods of narrative. In this essay I will analyse three Character, Setting and Voice each in detail. In the opening sentence of chapter 2, Fitzgerald uses imagery to create a setting of some like a limbo with never-ending roads and barren land. This theme continues throughout the first setting in the chapter. This is the v eachey of ashes-a baseless farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges Fitzgerald uses the word ashes twice which re-inforces how dead and desolate the valley of ashes is.Secondly, Fitzgerald uses an oxymoron with the connotations of ash and wheat death and life. This is like a microcosm of the occurrence that many people (in the book) came to New York to achieve The American Dream and many failed. However, it could also represent Gatsby and how there are hints in the book that he came from vigor but has worked his way to the top. In chapter 2, Fitzgerald introduces a few new characte rs to the reader. The character that stood out most for me was myrtle. Myrtle is Toms mistress and is characterized as the complete opposite as Daisy.She is described with a thickish figure, sensuously and smouldering, whereas Daisy is slender, kind and loving. Further on in the scene, Myrtle changes her outfit quite often. Mrs Wilson had changed her fig out The word costume suggests that Myrtle is just playing a part in her own fairytale with Tom. It is ironic because the reader later learns that Tom has no interest in Myrtle apart from her being a distraction. Also, the quality of her plumees as we read deeper into the scene become more and more rich as the first dress is described as crepe-de-chine, the second is muslim and the final dress is chiffon.She changes her costume to give people the impression that she is wealthy because it is the life that she wants to live. Lastly, the use of Mrs Wilson instead of Myrtle infers that is more important than when she was with her husba nd and it also underlines the fact that she is married. Fitzgerald uses the change of structure in the narrative voice to portray the state of chip off. I have entirely been drunk twice in my life and the second was that afternoon We already know from chapter 1 that Nick is apologetic and likes to think he is honest. Therefore it is almost like he is apologising for what is about to come.This is most likely to be because alcohol was illegal then and he is obviously embarrassed by his state. Later on in the scene, the narrative voice then changes to a more drunken state for example, he rants and uses repetition of then. Later on, as the evening progresses Nick wipes off a spot of dried lather that had worried me all afternoon from Mr McKees cheek. If Nick was sober he would not have make this but obviously feels the need to due to the alcohol. Lastly, the whole scene is told in a strange order and it seems like he is looking back and piecing it all together.