Chapter 2 is told from Nick's point of view. The pattern of the chapter remains chronological, although erratic due to the influence of alcohol. He is therefore not a reliable source of events as he self-admittedly becomes drunk. This is valid information for the reader as time of particular occurrences rapidly jump amongst each other. In this sense, it's as if the story itself is confused -a personal ailment reflecting Nick's mood. More so, the confusion is proven with the pandemonium that breaks out when Tom breaks Myrtle's nose and Nick scrambles to get home thereafter.
The language used in chapter two is still descriptive entirely towards the appearance of the people, as with chapter 1. Nick describes the company of the apartment, and the language and manner in which he brings these people out creates the slight image of prejudice from Nick regarding the demeanour of ''people who are less fortunate''. Based on common human experience, the reader is also left to feel like there is complete truth behind Nick's words as there is ''truth in wine''.
The entire attribute of contrasting settings is placed in Chapter two, as of which the most important one is the ‘Valley of Ashes'. The apartment in which Tom has his affair with Myrtle in New York is also described, but purely to describe the mentality and appreciation values of 'less rich' people. This is based on the description of the choice of furniture by Myrtle, who comes from the Valley of Ashes- a poor area that seems to be unrealistically invalid of existence, other than it remains a dumping ground. As revealed later in the novel, the description of the Valley of Ashes is fairly parallel to the fate of the characters.
Good comments on settings.
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