Jay Gatsby was looking across the water and reaching out to a green light. The green light could represent a dream or hope that Gatsby is trying to reach and the sea between Gatsby and the green light may represent the obstacles that Gatsby has to face in order for him to reach his goal. Gatsby was also in the darkness and when disappeared shortly after. This may suggest that Gatsby is a mysterious character and is hiding his true self.

QUOTE: “he was content to be alone—he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling.”

How does Nick carraway describe himself in the beginning of the book and what type of narrator will he be?
Nick describes himself as an open-minded person however as the chapter continues, Nick continuously criticise other characters from the book. He voices his own opinions and this contradicts his point on “reserving all judgements”. Due to this, we can deduce that Nick may be an unreliable narrator and therefore we should not trust his memory and view point in most situations.

QUOTE: “I’m inclined to reserve all judgements, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores.”

Tom Buchanan is described by Nick as brawny and a descendent of a wealthy family. The introduction to this character shows a certain type of class in that era. Tom has been living on old money and he represents that of the upper class. 

QUOTES: “His family were enormously wealthy” and “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven”

The East and West egg in the book both describe different classes of wealth in the city. The residents in the city both acquire wealth differently and the West egg represents people of new money while the East egg represents people of old money. The contrast of the two cities can be shown through the types of houses in each area. In the East egg, the houses in which the established wealthy live are old and classic and the houses in the West egg are mostly “european inspired mansions”. The houses represent the stability and the residences wealth. The houses in the West egg are more new which shows that wealth of the residence are current while the East egg houses are much older and has been in place for years and could suggest the stability the residence has.

QUOTE: “the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them” and “white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water”

Tom having an affair and breaking his mistresses nose shows that Tom is short tempered and does not have any real love for either woman. The scene in which Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose shows that he is physically abusive towards her and his attitude towards Daisy may show that he is verbally abusive towards her. Him having an affair shows that he is an egoistic and dishonest character. Catherine (Myrtle’s sister) explains that Tom did not divorce Daisy because she was a catholic and she did not believe in divorce however, Nick did not think Daisy was a catholic. The reason for not having a divorce may be due to his status and needing to “play a certain part” as someone in that social class.

QUOTE: “Making a short de movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.” and “Don’t believe in divorce”

What does the ‘valley of ashes’ represent and how is it described?
Between West Egg and New York City consists of a long stretch of desolate land created by the dumping of industrial ashes, railroads and small houses. On a symbolic level it may represent the absolute poverty and hopelessness of the residence in that area.
QUOTE: “This is a Valley of Ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke”

What does the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg represent?
The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. It could represent God staring down and judging the American society as a moral wasteland.
QUOTE: But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are blue and gigantic. . . . But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days under the sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.

Describe George B. Wilson and Myrtle's character and why they are important?
Myrtle’s affair with Tom may suggest the loveless marriage between her and Mr Wilson. Her affair with Tom despite the jealousy she feels for Daisy and Tom’s issues, it may suggest that she is desperately trying to improve her lifestyle. Mr Wilson is a listless, impoverished man whos is very much in love with his wife despite Myrtle's affair with Tom. They are important as they represent the American dream

The author gets into great detail to describe the moment Nick first saw Tom, and the way he describes Tom is in a very aggressive manner. I believe it was rightfully done so to insinuate the deep and powerful energy that Tom carries within him. Tom believes that he is more superior than others, especially after he explains a book about white supremacy that he has recently read. Nick remembers him as a very aggressive man while they were in college together, and somehow many years later that is exactly the same vibe that he received from Tom. The author describes the very small details about Tom that can clearly give the reader an impression about him, such as “two shining arrogant eyes had establishment dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward.” The author then proceeds to describe that every single feature, bone, and personality trait of Tom emits a possessive nature and anger. An example to this, “His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed.”

We already know that Tom is a very aggressive man based on the way he was perceived in the first chapter. This may indicate that he had a very dark childhood because according to Nick, he has been this way ever since they were in college together. However it may also indicate that he is very unhappy with his marriage and feels like he can take advantage of Daisy and the fact that she is extremely oblivious. In the first chapter he was just perceived as a very aggressive man, however in the second chapter Tom’s description came to light after showing his true colours by getting quite intoxicated and getting physical with his mistress. 

-  Cardinal virtue: Honesty 

- Nick is untrustworthy - claims to be observant and objective - ties down to his empty, broken shell of a man 

- calls Jordan a cheat and a shirker 

- Gatsby represents innocence and truth 

- Daisy described as a consummate performer 

- Ironic how he claims he’s ‘reserve(d) to all judgements 

Theme of Honest Vs Dishonesty 

- Gatsby portrayed to be a honest man; au contraire being a fraud and everything that stands for a dishonest man that is trying hard to hide the past 

- his undying love for Daisy represents his untainted heart despite his past 

- Tom is very honest about his affair with Myrtle 

This shows how being truthful does not always mean you have good intentions. 

Other values portrayed by Gatsby such as loyalty are seen as virtuous 

Jay Gatsby started of his school life working as a janitor. However, he was not satisfied with this job. After helping a rich copper mogul named Dan Cody, he was hired as his personal assistant. This job gave him an opportunity to experience wealth and luxury. Dan later died, and willed $25, 000 to Gatsby. This sum was withheld by Dan’s mistress. This therefore pushed Gatsby to thrive to be a successful individual.

Why did Gatsby abstain from alcohol consumption?

While working with Dan, part of his duty was to take care of him while he was drunk. This is because he was a heavy drinker. This gave Gatsby a first-hand experience of the effect of alcohol, which is why he chose to abstain from it.

CHAPTER 7
Why did Jay Gatsby choose to take blame for Myrtle's death?
Jay loved Daisy so much that he felt the need to take the blame for her death. She was hit by a car being driven by Daisy. He loved her so much that he spied on her to make sure that Tom doesn't hurt her.