Opposingly similar

While the Buchanans' and Myrtle's parties contrast in appearance and magnitude, their overall structure mirrors one another. Myrtle's apartment, in complete disaray compared with the Buchanans' mansion, flows with whiskey while Daisy's party remained relatively dry. Although the second party's amplified chaos far exceeds the second, similar events take place. In both scenes, the subject of Nick's mysterious neighbor, Gatsby, greatly intrigues the listeners, but other distractions quickly dismiss the topic. At the Buchanans' mansion, the supper call discontinues any further discussion of Gatsby, and at Myrtle's apartment, Nick disappointedly observes that "this absorbing information about [his] neighbor was interrupted by Mrs. McKee's pointing suddenly at Catherine" (37). Also, just as Daisy plays matchmaker to Nick and Jordan, Myrtle also hints about the immense beauty of her sister, Catherine, in the presence of Nick. At both parties, the "other woman" becomes a topic of discussion, but the abundance of disorder and alcohol magnifies the conflict at Myrtle's apartment. While a tersely hushed telephone call alludes towards Myrtle at the first party, Mrs. Wilson outwardly exclaims Daisy's name and subsequently "making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broker her nose with his open hand" (41). Although the two parties have opposing exterior qualities, the conversation subject of Gatsby, the desire to pair a woman with Nick, and the conflict of Tom's mistress remains similar.