Similarities Between The Great Gatsby And Myrtle Wilson
The American Dream is a concept that is embedded into the fabric of American society. The American Dream promises prosperity, social mobility and encourages the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, calls the idea of the American Dream into question through Gatsby Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson. The Great Gatsby demonstrates that the American Dream is unachievable, as both Gatsby Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson attempt to achieve it, but due to being impoverished, failing to find true love, and their sudden untimely deaths, it is unreachable, despite their social status. Both Gatsby and Myrtle are driven by their desire for wealth and high-class social status which they both want to lead them to their desired …show more content…
Similar to Gatsby, Myrtle attempts to climb the social ladder by seeking the affection of a man named Tom Buchanan, and unlike Gatsby, Tom has legitimate claims to his massive fortune. “I married him [George Wilson] because I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.” Said, Myrtle (Fitzgerald 34). Myrtle seeks to elevate herself toward the American Dream with the help of Mr. Buchanan and, with his money and fortune, she could finally escape her dreary existence with Mr. Wilson in the Valley of Ashes and settle into her rightful place in Mr. Buchanan’s …show more content…
It is an escape from living in the unimaginable conditions in the Valley of Ashes. Myrtle’s obsession with wealth and social status drastically impacts who she loves. Her love for Mr. Buchanan is solely based on her need for a higher social status, for her American Dream. Being married to a dirt poor man is unbeneficial and causes her to disappear, but Tom Buchanan is the ideal man. Despite Tom’s abuse and deception of Myrtle, she still fights for his love to achieve her final goal which is the American
Sacrifice In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
693 Words | 3 PagesMyrtle Wilson, a wife living in the lower class living in the Valley of Ashes, complains about being married to George WIlson; he’s not characterized as a “larger-than-life” person, and it is exactly why she plans on leaving her marriage to pursue a glamorous life with Tom Buchanan. Myrtle expresses, “The only crazy I was was when I married him. I knew right away I made a mistake. He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in and never even told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out.” (27).
How Is Myrtle Wilson Portrayed In The Great Gatsby
793 Words | 4 PagesGatsby was born with nothing, and has spent his entire life striving to climb the social ladder all the way to the top. But even as he gained wealth and status, he became consumed with desire and greed. He obsessed over the green light--a symbol of the American dream-- that shone across the bay and no matter what he achieved, he always strove for more. This is similar to how Myrtle Wilson was dissatisfied with her position in society and strove to change it through her affair with Tom. This determination to be something more is eventually what leads to the downfall of both characters.
Inequality In The Great Gatsby
985 Words | 4 PagesIn the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts how women in the 1920s used greed and deceit to advance in life through the characters Daisy and Myrtle. In the novel, the character Myrtle uses manipulation to improve her life since she is desperate for fame and money. Men profited in the 1920s
Examples Of Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
1027 Words | 5 PagesIn the Great Gatsby it shows that the American Dream is failing and that it will never come true. Myrtle is one prime example of the failing American Dream she living with her husband in the Valley of ashe. Her husband have worked hard to get his gas business to work but it’s just not working. This shows the American Dream is just an idea for people to reach for but only same can make it. She is a beautiful young lady and she was uses that to her advantage with her boyfriend Tom Buchanan.
Examples Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby
992 Words | 4 PagesWealth, power, and material possessions are all the core ideas of achieving the American Dream. In his novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald manages to define, praise and rebuke the concept of American dream quite successfully. Fitzgerald depicts the American Dream and its quietus through the corruption of major characters in the novel. The American Dream not only causes corruption but also causes demolition of major characters like Myrtle Wilson, Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby.
Similarities Between Tom And Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
625 Words | 3 PagesTom is a wealthy man, and Myrtle is a working-class woman. Their affair is seen as a sign of Tom's power
Symbolism In The Great Gatsby
754 Words | 4 PagesWhile Myrtle, similar to Gatsby, shares the desire for a better life, she has much more modest goals. She longs to leave her relationship with George Wilson and to leave her life in the Valley of Ashes, for a more luxurious and exciting life, where she can live as she pleases. However, she tragically dies as a result of pursuing her dream to leave when she runs out on the road thinking Tom Buchanan was coming for her, but instead was hit by a car. Nick arrived after the accident and said that Myrtles,“mouth was wide open and ripped at the corners” and described it, “as though she had choked a little in giving up the tremendous vitality she had stored for so long” (Fitzgerald 137). Myrtles one dream, that she had, had for so long, was to escape her current life, she was unsuccessful in her pursuit
How Is Gatsby And Myrtle Alike
2088 Words | 9 PagesAlthough Gatsby and Myrtle rarely cross paths, there are ways they are alike caused by the influence of their want for a higher status. Their strive for
Why Is Myrtle Satisfied In The Great Gatsby
1109 Words | 5 PagesGatsby and Myrtle persistently go after what makes them satisfied, which eventually leads to both of their deaths. Constantly chasing after what makes one content can frequently bring them to their collapse, as shown by Gatsby attempting to win Daisy’s love and Myrtle constantly chasing wealth. Constant desire for something that makes one happy usually results in their destruction, as displayed by Gatsby’s constant obsession with Daisy. Prior to when the novel takes place, Daisy and Gatsby plan to get married, which is disrupted when Gatsby is drafted into the army. Even though Daisy promises Gatsby she will wait for him, she ends up getting married to a wealthy and socialite man named Tom Buchanan.
Analysis Of Myrtle Wilson In The Great Gatsby
1214 Words | 5 PagesThe classic American novel The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. The book is set in the 1920’s, just following World War I and during the Prohibition era, and dives deep into the lives of some of the wealthiest people in New York. This period is notoriously known for heavy drinking and the booming economy- these themes are very prevalent in The Great Gatsby. Readers witness the characters living their luxurious lifestyles and hosting or attending lavish parties. Among all the characters in this story, there is one that some readers wish they knew more about: Ms. Myrtle Wilson.
What Does Myrtle Symbolize In The Great Gatsby
422 Words | 2 PagesIn the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses characterization and symbolism to prove obsessing over the American dream will lead to greed. The characterization of Myrtle shows how obsession can manifest itself into greed. As Myrtle learned she was going out to party with Tom, the man she had an affair with, she dressed-up for the occasion and, “changed her dress to a brown figured muslin which stretched tight over her rather wide hips as Tom helped her to the platform in New York” (Fitzgerald 31). Myrtle was obsessed with her self-image. Before she learned she was attending a party with Tom, she displayed her authentic self by wearing clothes that represented her, then after she changed into an outfit that made her
Social Norms In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
1098 Words | 5 Pagesand it was because of this that I first met Tom Buchanan’s mistress” (Fitzgerald 24). Just like Tom, Myrtle treats marriage as if commitment in this era meant nothing. Even though Tom and Myrtle love each other, they constantly have a trail of lies following them. The Valley of Ashes isn’t only where the Wilsons’ live, but also symbolizes the secrets buried deep down. As Tom and Myrtle's relationship is exposed to Nick, he gets invited to their party at an apartment Tom owns to have a place to stay with Myrtle.
The Toxic American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
1260 Words | 6 PagesIn Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the American Dream, and its pursuit, poisons the characters and causes their downfall. Myrtle, trapped with a husband she loathes in The Valley of Ashes, dreams of a wealthy life. This results in her affair with Tom, Daisy’s husband, and her obsession with him. Myrtle longs for the life Daisy has, and her jealousy grows throughout the novel.
What Are Gender Roles In The Great Gatsby
727 Words | 3 PagesAt first, Myrtle is just the woman helping Tom Buchanan cheat on his wife, until it is revealed that Daisy is also cheating on Tom. Myrtle is disgusted by her husband and his lack of riches and wealth and prosperity. It is stated in the book that she always felt that she was born to be sophisticated and wealthy and a participant of the upper class. Because of this, she doesn’t complain when Tom, a rich city boy, pushes himself upon her. Tom does not try to hide his affair by any means, which makes Myrtle think there is more there than really is.
The American Nightmare In The Great Gatsby
1298 Words | 6 PagesThe dysfunctional couple comprised of George and Myrtle Wilson is an example Fitzgerald uses to portray the grief and plight of the poor due to the disregard by the rich. They inhabit the Valley of Ashes, barely making enough money to support themselves. They lust after riches, specifically Myrtle, who seems to disregard her husband in favor of attempting to climb the social ladder by being with Tom, regardless of Daisy. She even proclaims, “I married him [George Wilson] because I thought he was a gentleman... I thought he knew something about breeding but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe” (39).
More about Similarities Between The Great Gatsby And Myrtle Wilson
Sacrifice In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
693 Words | 3 PagesHow Is Myrtle Wilson Portrayed In The Great Gatsby
793 Words | 4 PagesInequality In The Great Gatsby
985 Words | 4 PagesExamples Of Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
1027 Words | 5 PagesExamples Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby
992 Words | 4 PagesSimilarities Between Tom And Myrtle In The Great Gatsby
625 Words | 3 PagesSymbolism In The Great Gatsby
754 Words | 4 PagesHow Is Gatsby And Myrtle Alike
2088 Words | 9 PagesWhy Is Myrtle Satisfied In The Great Gatsby
1109 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Myrtle Wilson In The Great Gatsby
1214 Words | 5 PagesWhat Does Myrtle Symbolize In The Great Gatsby
422 Words | 2 PagesSocial Norms In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
1098 Words | 5 PagesThe Toxic American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
1260 Words | 6 PagesWhat Are Gender Roles In The Great Gatsby
727 Words | 3 PagesThe American Nightmare In The Great Gatsby
1298 Words | 6 Pages