"He was a blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome. When he saw us a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes." (p.29)
"Then I heard footsteps on a stairs, and in a moment the thickish figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door. She was in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can. Her face, above a spotted dress of dark blue crépe-de-chine, contained no facet or gleam of beauty, but there was an immediately perceptible vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smouldering." (p. 29-30)
From Context:
This chapter (2) presented two new but critical characters – George and Myrtle Wilson. The first quote describes Wilson, and the second his wife. These quotes are his first impressions of the characters.
Literary Importance: DICTION
Notice in detail how the characters are described. Wilson is given multiple negatively connotated words, however it is then counteracted by one positive attribute (gleaming hope). This similar structure is presented with Myrtle Wilson; her "redeeming quality" is her vitality (positive: lively). In which, is completely contrasting to Tom Buchanan's wife, Daisy, whose qualities resemble that of a ghost. Keep in mind that this story is written in retrospect. How does Nick's depiction of Tom/Daisy differ? (Remember: Tom → aggressive, dominant, cruel; Daisy → voice, light, white, floaty objects [e.g. curtains])
Further Exploration:
- By adding these traits to these two characters, is he trying to appeal to the reader as a responsible narrator?
- Can Daisy/ Tom be considered foils of Myrtle/ Wilson in more ways than just characterization?
- By associating these descriptions with these particular characters, what is Fitzgerald saying about the social class they come to represent?
This chapter (2) presented two new but critical characters – George and Myrtle Wilson. The first quote describes Wilson, and the second his wife. These quotes are his first impressions of the characters.
Literary Importance: DICTION
Notice in detail how the characters are described. Wilson is given multiple negatively connotated words, however it is then counteracted by one positive attribute (gleaming hope). This similar structure is presented with Myrtle Wilson; her "redeeming quality" is her vitality (positive: lively). In which, is completely contrasting to Tom Buchanan's wife, Daisy, whose qualities resemble that of a ghost. Keep in mind that this story is written in retrospect. How does Nick's depiction of Tom/Daisy differ? (Remember: Tom → aggressive, dominant, cruel; Daisy → voice, light, white, floaty objects [e.g. curtains])
Further Exploration:
- By adding these traits to these two characters, is he trying to appeal to the reader as a responsible narrator?
- Can Daisy/ Tom be considered foils of Myrtle/ Wilson in more ways than just characterization?
- By associating these descriptions with these particular characters, what is Fitzgerald saying about the social class they come to represent?