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What is Tom and Myrtle's apartment like in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald?

For a description of Tom and Myrtle's apartment, take a look at chapter two. According to Nick, the apartment is situated on the top floor of a block and consists of only four rooms: a small living room, a small dining room, a small bedroom, and a bath.

In terms of its decor, the apartment is filled with "tapestried" furniture that is really too large for the apartment. Notice the use of the word "tapestried," implying opulence and luxury.


In the living room, there is only one picture, a picture of a hen sitting on a rock. There are, however, lots of magazines strewn around. Notice how they are all focused on gossip and "tattle." There is also a book, Simon Called Peter.


What is really striking about the apartment is that it does not have a homely feeling about it. It is purely for show, a place where Myrtle can feel like a part of the New York set, a part of Tom Buchanan's world. As such, the apartment reflects the sense of fashion, luxury, and materialism that Myrtle is so desperate to attain and, more importantly, to showcase to others.

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