Chapter 2

• What real-life location inspired the setting of the Corona Ash Dumps in TGG Chapter 2?

  The real-life Corona Ash Dumps in Queens, New York
• What do the ash heaps in the Corona Ash Dumps symbolize?

  The growing pollution and environmental degradation from urbanization and industrialization
• By 1923, how much rubbish did New York City generate annually?

  Over ten million tons
• What does the Valley of Ashes represent in TGG Chapter 2?

  The hidden costs of America's economic boom and the gap between the rich and the poor
• How does the Valley of Ashes contrast with East Egg and West Egg?

  It represents the working class left behind in the pursuit of wealth
• What percentage of the nation's wealth did the wealthiest 1% control in 1922?

  Approximately 40%
• What was the income level classified as the minimum livable income for a family of five in the 1920s?

  Less than $2,000 a year
• Who does George Wilson represent in TGG Chapter 2?

  The exploited working class
• How does Tom Buchanan's treatment of George Wilson highlight class differences?

  It shows the power imbalance between the wealthy and the working class
• What was New York City's population by 1920?

  Exceeding 5.6 million people
• What cultural movement did New York become the epicenter of during the 1920s?

  The Jazz Age culture
• When was the Chrysler Building initiated and completed?

  Initiated in 1920 and completed in 1930
• How much did consumer spending grow in the U.S. between 1919 and 1929?

  By 50%
• What role did advancements in media and communication play in the 1920s?

  They shaped public opinion and culture
• What does Myrtle Wilson represent in TGG Chapter 2?

  A victim of Tom's power and abuse
• How does Tom Buchanan's behavior towards Myrtle Wilson reflect societal attitudes of the time?

  It exemplifies the broader patriarchy and women's subjugation
• What percentage of consumer spending in the U.S. did women make up by the mid-1920s?

  80%
• What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize regarding immigrants and ethnic minorities?

  The harsh conditions they lived in while the wealthy thrived
• What did the Immigration Act of 1924 do?

  Limited the number of immigrants allowed entry into the U.S.
• What was the foreign-born population percentage in New York City in 1920?

  About 35%
• What do the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg symbolize in TGG Chapter 2?

  The loss of moral and spiritual guidance in a materialistic era
• How did the 1920s reflect a shift in religious adherence in America?

  There was a marked shift toward a more privatized form of religion
• What did sociologists note about church attendance in urban areas by the 1920s?

  It was declining
• How are Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's eyes described in the novel?

  As 'blue and gigantic'
• How does T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land relate to the themes in TGG?

  It reflects the fragmentation and disillusionment of the post-war world
• What philosophical ideas of Nietzsche resonate in TGG?

  His ideas about the "death of God" and the resulting moral void
• How do Marx's ideas manifest in TGG's portrayal of characters?

  They reflect class struggle, alienation, and commodification of relationships
• What are the key themes explored in TGG Chapter 2?

  • Industrialization and urban decay
  • Class division and income inequality
  • The growth of New York as a cultural capital
  • Gender roles and the objectification of women
  • The fear of the 'other' and immigration issues
  • The loss of morality and spiritual guidance
• How does the setting of the Valley of Ashes contribute to the novel's themes?

  • Represents the consequences of industrialization
  • Highlights class disparities and exploitation
  • Symbolizes moral decay and loss of values
• What societal changes occurred in the 1920s that are reflected in TGG?

  • Rise of consumer culture
  • Shifts in gender roles and women's economic power
  • Decline of traditional religious values
  • Increased immigration and racial tensions