The Great Gatsby

Nick describes the midpoint between East and West Egg, where the railroad runs alongside the road for a stretch. Nick calls this area a “valley of ashes.” It’s an area where ashes from factories are dumped, creating an ugly wasteland. Over the ash dump, an old optometrist’s billboard, advertising Dr. T. J. Eckleburg, features a pair of absurd faceless eyes and glasses that look out at those who pass by.

The train stop near the dump, overlooked by the Eckleburg billboard, turns out to be the place of residence of Tom’s mistress, Myrtle. Myrtle’s husband, George Wilson, owns an unsuccessful auto repair and sales shop. As the action of the chapter begins, Tom interrupts a weekend train ride to the city, dragging Nick off to meet his Myrtle, his “girl.”

After a superficial conversation at George’s garage about a car Tom apparently intends to sell him, Myrtle and Tom manage to communicate to one another that they will meet at the station. To Nick’s surprise, he finds Myrtle unattractive.

After everyone leaves George behind, the three ride to New York City. On the way they buy a puppy at a whim of Myrtle’s. The rest of the chapter details a small, alcohol-fueled party at an apartment that Tom rents to host his ongoing affair.