Chapter two further develops Nick’s character as it introduces an unforeseen trait which displays his distaste towards women and attraction to men. When describing women he only choses to focus on the physical features, such as what people do when they read a book: they look at the cover to see if they are interested and move along if nothing stimulates them, which is what he does with the female characters presented in the novel, whereas with male characters he takes the time to get to know them and make a connection on a more emotional level. Nick describes the Wilson couple, with Myrtle having a “thickish figure” that blocked the light of him observing the “spiritless, anemic, and faintly handsome” Mr. Wilson who has a “damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes” (p.25). With Mrs. Wilson, only her outward appearance is observed as that is all he wants to know of her. However, with Mr. Wilson he acknowledges his attractiveness but also takes note of his spirit and how he seemed hopeful- something as minute as eyes are the window to the soul, but can be easily ignored due to their size, and Nick consciously takes the time to notice them as more of a person’s character can be told through their eyes than through the shape of their figure. When describing men, Nick takes his time to fully evaluate the man to make a thorough assessment of his character, whereas with women, he does not wish to know that much about them, only the bare minimum, as is why he only looks at the surface layer when introduced to women.
When offered the opportunity to meet Tom’s mistress, an exciting event that most would want to take part in as to uncover the mystery behind the woman, Nick halfheartedly accepts, proving his disinterest in women: “Though I was curious to see her, I had no desire to meet her- but I did…The supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do” (p.24). This excerpt also serves to display a sense of arrogance as even though he has not met the standard of wealth that Tom has already achieved, he does not wish to take part in such activities as meeting with a mistress; after all, wealthy people do not wish to associate with people of a substandard socioeconomic level as themselves for they cannot compare to the lavish lifestyle lived by the rich as they live a life of subsistence and dependency. When at the apartment with Tom and Myrtle, Nick takes the opportunity to run errands for them as almost an excuse to take a break from the desperation emanating from Myrtle as she seeks to attain Tom’s love and affection, though such will never be achieved because she is not in the same economic state as he. Also, later on when the group is sitting around and chatting, Nick is extremely distant as he does nothing other than think of walking in the park, but he refrains from doing so as he wants to be kept in the loop of what is going on, though he is completely uninterested. Nick is self-centered as he only participates in conversation when it is something of interest to him, most notably Jay Gatsby.
When offered the opportunity to meet Tom’s mistress, an exciting event that most would want to take part in as to uncover the mystery behind the woman, Nick halfheartedly accepts, proving his disinterest in women: “Though I was curious to see her, I had no desire to meet her- but I did…The supercilious assumption was that on Sunday afternoon I had nothing better to do” (p.24). This excerpt also serves to display a sense of arrogance as even though he has not met the standard of wealth that Tom has already achieved, he does not wish to take part in such activities as meeting with a mistress; after all, wealthy people do not wish to associate with people of a substandard socioeconomic level as themselves for they cannot compare to the lavish lifestyle lived by the rich as they live a life of subsistence and dependency. When at the apartment with Tom and Myrtle, Nick takes the opportunity to run errands for them as almost an excuse to take a break from the desperation emanating from Myrtle as she seeks to attain Tom’s love and affection, though such will never be achieved because she is not in the same economic state as he. Also, later on when the group is sitting around and chatting, Nick is extremely distant as he does nothing other than think of walking in the park, but he refrains from doing so as he wants to be kept in the loop of what is going on, though he is completely uninterested. Nick is self-centered as he only participates in conversation when it is something of interest to him, most notably Jay Gatsby.