Nick hurries back to West Egg and finds Gatsby floating dead in his pool. Symbolically, the hurt finger stands for the way Tom bruises Daisy with his affairs.
It represents the moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty ashes and lose their vitality as a result.
The valley of ashes is the depressing industrial area of Queens that is in between West Egg and Manhattan. How does Tom find out about the affair between Gatsby and Daisy? How does Gatsby make his money?
How are West Egg and East Egg different? What is the importance of the character Owl Eyes? Does Daisy love Gatsby or Tom? Why does Tom insist on switching cars with Gatsby when they go to the city?
Why is Nick the narrator of the story? Why does Tom bring up race so often? Why is Myrtle attracted to Tom? Jordyn said:. December 9, at pm. Tom might actually like her yeah he hit her it shows he is in love with daisy. Excellent point, Jordyn. The book makes reference to her strong feelings about Tom multiple times. As you may have already read, Tom terrifies and controls Wilson as well. I can definitely sympathize with Myrtle. Throughout the novel, it is clear that she is taken advantage of and physically abused.
That is the whole point of literature — to read and make connections to the real world. For example, can you think of anyone who may feel isolated or afraid to speak out based on their socioeconomic class? This remains a large problem in the U. Some people feel invisible based on how much money and power they have.
Through writing The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald was attempting to hone in on these class issues. There are definitely examples throughout the book that indicate Tom has feelings for Daisy, but I believe this scene reflects how much of a barbarian Tom can be.
Domestic violence is never an indication that someone may love someone else. However, you are free to disagree with me. Glad to see someone is reading this blog after 3 years. If you have any questions about the book, feel free to email me at m. Thanks and good luck on your studies! Julie Aberasturi said:. April 10, at am. Tom wants to have a mistress that belongs to a lower social class because he wants to be in control. He likes having dominance over Myrtle.
He is involved with someone who is inferior to him because he knows he can get away with anything. He even went as far as to physically abuse her. He might also think that since Myrtle lives in the Valley of Ashes, no one will hear of their affair and he will be able to get away with it. His relationship with Myrtle is the complete opposite of his relationship with Daisy who is from a wealthy family.
Camille Penny said:. April 13, at pm. Tom wants complete control of everything and everyone in his life. Him choosing to have a mistress in a lower class shows that he wants to control everything about her. He can tell her how to dress, how to act, etc. Since he is of East Egg, he is much richer than Myrtle. She must rely on him if she ever wants to escape the Valley of Ashes. She can never defy or betray him putting him in complete control of her.
Emi Duarte said:. April 15, at pm. Tom is a control freak who gets off on having all this power. Myrtle is desperate to escape the valley of ashes and in her eyes being with Tom is the only way out. Leaving Tom would mean giving up on her dreams and she will never be willing to do that.
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