A Public Affair

The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pages 23-38

"People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away," (Fitzgerald, 37).

To begin, I'm a little confused about this field of ash which they drive through to get to New York. It might be my infamiliarity with the Empire State's geography, but I thought Nick and Tom lived on Long Island.

Another item of confusion were the giant eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg that loomed over the wasteland. By the manner in which they were described, I have a feeling they are symbolic for something, but I'm unable to figure out their meaning at this point. Hopefully, they will reappear later on in the book.

The public affair of Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson is shocking, not only the fact that Tom invites his mistress out in front of her husband but also in the fact that he welcomed his wife's cousin to be his company. The party seemed to make things even more strange for me. A middle-aged man only being drunk for the second time in his life. A sister who knows more about the marriages of the couple than they seem to know themselves. An awkward couple from the apartment downstairs. I'm glad that Nick felt uncomfortable and disapproved of his company; however, is this a subtle disapproval of the affair and lifestyle being lead? Nick wants to leave, but he is fascinated by the lifestyles held by his financial superiors. "I wanted to get out...but each time I tried to go I became entangled," (Fitzgerald, 35).

I think Nick will eventually intercede within the lives of the Buchanans, Gatsby, and other members of the wealthy class.