In the opening of chapter 2, Nick describes a “waste land” between West and East Egg where the ashes from both cities are both dumped. As discussed in class, this “Valley of Ashes” is a symbol of those that were left behind in the 1920’s. Above this wasteland is a billboard that advertises Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s eye practice, which gives the illusion that his eyes are watching over the ashes and everything that happened in the past. As the chapter continues, Tom is eager to show Nick his mysterious mistress. It becomes evident throughout this chapter that Nick pays more attention to the physical appearance of men and more of the emotional state of the women. When Nick first meets Mr. Wilson, he describes him as a “blonde, shirtless man, anemic, and faintly handsome.” However, when he comes across Tom’s mistress, Mrs. Wilson, he claims that she has an unattractive face but that she had a certain aura about her. This becomes even more apparent at the end of the chapter when Nick took McKee home. In Mckee’s bedroom, Nick was standing beside his bed and describes Mckee as “sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear, with a great portfolio in his hands.” This scene alone questions the homosexuality of Nick and makes certain scenes throughout this chapter seem very sexual. For example, when Mckee’s wife talks about how Myrtle Wilson would be a good addition to his artwork, Mckee is more focused on Tom. This questions his homosexuality because most men would turn their heads and get excited to look at a beautiful woman who was showing her breasts but instead he is more interested in Tom. Therefore, most men who are more interested in the physical appearance of a man rather than a woman must have homosexual tendencies. With this in mind, we can only wonder if there was a sexual connection between Mckee and Nick towards the end of chapter 2.
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AuthorMorgann Granger |