He was a blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome. When he saw us a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes.
Chapter 2 · Narrator
Context
Nick describes George Wilson as he appears in the doorway of his garage, wiping his hands on a piece of waste. This is Wilson's first appearance in the novel.
Analysis
Wilson's characterization as 'spiritless' and 'anaemic' establishes him as a man drained of vitality by his environment and circumstances—he is becoming one of the 'ash-grey men' of the valley. The 'damp gleam of hope' is pathetic rather than inspiring, suggesting his desperation and dependence on Tom's promised car sale. The adjective 'faintly' before 'handsome' suggests even his physical attributes are diminished, echoing the way the valley diminishes everything within it.
How to Use in Essay
Useful for essays on social class, the contrast between Tom and Wilson as foils, or the dehumanizing effects of poverty in the novel.