From Conflict to Identity: Main Issues Explored in US Literary Education - Sykalo Eugen 2023

What is the significance of the character Myrtle Wilson in “The Great Gatsby”?

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary masterpiece, "The Great Gatsby," the character of Myrtle Wilson emerges as a pivotal figure, embodying the destructive allure of materialism, the pursuit of social mobility, and the tragic consequences of a society built on illusion and unattainable dreams. Myrtle, a married woman trapped in a loveless and impoverished existence, becomes a symbol of the desire for escape and the corruption that can arise from the relentless pursuit of wealth and status.

The significance of Myrtle Wilson lies in her representation of the lower social class and her aspirations to transcend her circumstances. As a working-class woman married to George Wilson, a mechanic in the Valley of Ashes, Myrtle yearns for a life of glamour and luxury that seems within reach through her relationship with Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and married man from the upper echelons of society. She sees in Tom the embodiment of the American Dream, and her pursuit of him reflects the desperation to climb the social ladder and escape her oppressive reality.

Myrtle's character assumes profound thematic significance as a critique of the hollow promises and materialistic obsessions that permeate the Jazz Age. Her affair with Tom Buchanan becomes a manifestation of the moral decay and the illusion of happiness that characterize the world of the novel. Through Myrtle's character, Fitzgerald exposes the dark underbelly of the so-called American Dream, highlighting the emptiness and moral bankruptcy that can accompany the relentless pursuit of wealth and social status.

Furthermore, Myrtle's tragic fate underscores the devastating consequences of her aspirations and her attempt to defy the boundaries of her class. In a moment of cruel irony, she becomes the victim of her own desires, her life cut short in a tragic accident. Her death serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of delusion and the inability to reconcile one's aspirations with the realities of the world.

Myrtle's character also functions as a foil to Daisy Buchanan, Tom's wife, and the embodiment of old money and social privilege. While Daisy moves through life with an air of sophistication and detachment, Myrtle yearns for a taste of the luxurious life she believes Daisy represents. Myrtle's infatuation with Tom not only exposes the flaws and hypocrisy of the upper class but also highlights the limitations and unattainable nature of her own ambitions.

Moreover, Myrtle's character serves as a critique of the objectification and mistreatment of women in a patriarchal society. Despite her status as Tom's mistress, she remains a disposable object, subjected to abuse and treated as a means to satisfy his desires. Her powerlessness within the dynamics of her relationship with Tom illuminates the gender inequality and the lack of agency experienced by women in the 1920s.

Myrtle's character contributes to the novel's exploration of illusion and reality. As she dresses in lavish attire and surrounds herself with the trappings of wealth, she creates a façade that temporarily allows her to escape her circumstances. However, this illusory world comes crashing down, exposing the emptiness of her dreams and the fragility of her position.

Myrtle Wilson's character assumes great significance in "The Great Gatsby" as a representation of the destructive power of materialism, the unattainable nature of the American Dream, and the tragic consequences of striving for social mobility in a morally bankrupt society. Her character highlights the illusions and disillusionments that pervade the lives of the novel's inhabitants, as well as the moral decay and objectification that underlie the pursuit of wealth and status. Through Myrtle's story, Fitzgerald presents a scathing critique of the era's societal values and offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbridled ambition and the erosion of moral integrity.