Myrtle Wilson

Myrtle Wilson
Original cover illustration by Francis Cugat (1893–1981) and published by Charle · Public domain · source
Name	Myrtle Wilson
Nationality	American
Occupation	Wife of George Wilson
Location	New York City, Long Island

Myrtle Wilson is a fictional character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, set in the Roaring Twenties in New York City and Long Island. She is the wife of George Wilson and has an affair with the wealthy Tom Buchanan, who is married to Daisy Buchanan. Myrtle's character is closely tied to the themes of social class, marriage, and the American Dream, which are central to the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck. Her story is also reminiscent of the tragic heroines in the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen.

● Introduction

Myrtle Wilson is a complex and multifaceted character, whose life is marked by poverty, desperation, and a desire for social mobility. She is often compared to other female characters in literature, such as Emma Bovary from Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary and Hester Prynne from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Myrtle's character has been analyzed by scholars such as Harold Bloom and Lionel Trilling, who have written extensively on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Lost Generation. Her story has also been influenced by the Industrial Revolution and the Women's Suffrage Movement, which were significant events in American history.

● Character Overview

Myrtle Wilson is a working-class woman who is desperate to escape her poverty-stricken life in the Valley of Ashes, a desolate industrial area between New York City and Long Island. She is married to George Wilson, who owns a gas station and is struggling to make a living. Myrtle's character is often compared to that of Daisy Buchanan, who represents the old money and social elite of East Egg. Myrtle's desire for wealth and status is also reminiscent of the characters in the works of Theodore Dreiser and Edith Wharton, who wrote about the social stratification of American society. Her story is also influenced by the Jazz Age and the Flapper culture, which were popularized by Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

● Role

in The Great Gatsby Myrtle Wilson plays a significant role in The Great Gatsby, as her affair with Tom Buchanan serves as a catalyst for the events of the novel. Her relationship with Tom is also a symbol of the corruption and moral decay of the wealthy elite in East Egg. Myrtle's character is often contrasted with that of Nick Carraway, who represents the moral compass of the novel. Her story is also influenced by the World War I and the Treaty of Versailles, which had a significant impact on American society and the global economy. The novel has been adapted into several film adaptations, including the 1974 film directed by Jack Clayton and the 2013 film directed by Baz Luhrmann.

● Relationships and Symbolism

Myrtle Wilson's relationships with other characters in the novel are significant, particularly her affair with Tom Buchanan and her friendship with Jordan Baker. Her relationship with Tom represents the exploitation of the working class by the wealthy elite, while her friendship with Jordan represents the emptiness and superficiality of the social elite. Myrtle's character is also symbolic of the American Dream, which is a central theme in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Her story is also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the Lost Generation, which were significant cultural movements in American history. The novel has been praised by scholars such as T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf, who have written extensively on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

● Analysis and Interpretation

Myrtle Wilson's character has been analyzed by scholars such as Harold Bloom and Lionel Trilling, who have written extensively on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Lost Generation. Her character has been interpreted as a symbol of the tragic flaw of the American Dream, which is a central theme in the novel. Myrtle's story has also been influenced by the Women's Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Movement, which were significant events in American history. The novel has been compared to other works of literature, such as The Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Myrtle's character has also been analyzed in the context of psychoanalytic theory and feminist theory, which have been influential in the field of literary criticism.

● Literary Significance

Myrtle Wilson's character is significant in the context of American literature, as she represents the tension between the old money and the new rich in American society. Her story has been influenced by the Industrial Revolution and the Women's Suffrage Movement, which were significant events in American history. The novel has been praised by scholars such as T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf, who have written extensively on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Myrtle's character has also been compared to other female characters in literature, such as Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter and Lady Macbeth from Macbeth. The novel has been adapted into several film adaptations and stage productions, including the Broadway production directed by Trevor Nunn. Category:Characters in The Great Gatsby