Myrtle Wilson
"I married him because I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe." (Fitzgerald 34)
Myrtle Wilson married below her social class, and she really regrets it. She doesn't feel that George is up to her standards, as he is stuck between the shadow of the West Egg and New York City, a desolate wasteland. This character revelation shows that myrtle is really hooked on the gold, the money and the riches, which is the reason why she is currently having an affair with Tom. A wealthy East Egger that won't hesitate to spend a little gold for a good time.
Her past life appears to be very unfortunate, because they refer to Tom as "the first sweetie she ever had..."(35).She is a bit vulgar and sleazy, being the 'other woman' and saying things Nick finds to be "violent and obscene," (33) which is not respected behaviour from a woman in that time period.
Myrtle Wilson married below her social class, and she really regrets it. She doesn't feel that George is up to her standards, as he is stuck between the shadow of the West Egg and New York City, a desolate wasteland. This character revelation shows that myrtle is really hooked on the gold, the money and the riches, which is the reason why she is currently having an affair with Tom. A wealthy East Egger that won't hesitate to spend a little gold for a good time.
Her past life appears to be very unfortunate, because they refer to Tom as "the first sweetie she ever had..."(35).She is a bit vulgar and sleazy, being the 'other woman' and saying things Nick finds to be "violent and obscene," (33) which is not respected behaviour from a woman in that time period.
Myrtles Role
Myrtle Wilson, brings the theme of wealth and class to the novel. Much regret after her marriage to George, who was too lowly for her, Myrtle needed a man that can provide for her; Tom. George is submissive while Tom is controlling, although Tom is physically aggressive Myrtle learns to live with it, associating the aggressiveness with masculinity. Myrtle's purpose within the book is to present a contrast to Daisy Buchanan. They are physically different as myrtle has a "thickish figure" and is "faintly stout"(25), they are also mentally different as Myrtle wants wealth more than anything and Daisy wants a happier life. Myrtle's behaviour represents a person on the East or West Egg but, truly she is from the "valley of ashes"(23) no where near the class of the Eggs. Myrtle is an insecure poser, with shallow actions, an important character that intertwines the story together.
The GOodStraight forward - Myrtle will not hesitate to say what she feels. Tom does not feel that Myrtle has the right to say Daisy's name but Myrtle thinks otherwise. Myrtle is straight forward in letting him know that by screaming " Daisy, Daisy, Daisy" (37). Myrtle feels a sense of self achievement when she gets her point across.
A good hostess - When Nick goes to visit them, Myrtle insists on him coming up to the apartment. She offers them drinks, sandwiches, and cigarettes, just as a good hostess/ housewife would. She engages everyone in conversation and "keeps after them all the time," (32). Giving - Myrtle is a giving person. When Mrs. McKee says that she likes Myrtle's dress and that it looks nice on her, she says "I'm going to give you this dress as soon as I'm through with it!" (36) |
The badIgnorant - "It's really his wife that's keeping them apart. She's a Catholic, and they don't believe in divorce."(33)
Myrtle is being strung along by Tom and is convinced that Tom loves her and would leave his wife if he could. In reality Tom is an arrogant liar who just wants to fool around. Needy - Myrtle always wants something. In this chapter she made Tom buy her an Airedale. Myrtle is also longing for a man, a man that is "fit to lick [her] shoe" (34) a man that is in her perceived social class, a man that could give her what she wants. |