How is Myrtle physically described?
Physically, Myrtle Wilson is not an impressive person. She is a rather plain, full-figured woman, described as in the middle thirties, and fairly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can and her face contained 'no facet or gleam of beauty.
What type of woman does Myrtle represent?
Myrtle represents the New Woman in her social and sexual progressiveness. She is not happy with her social status and desires to climb the social ladder. To become affluent, she has to marry a wealthy man.
How is Myrtle portrayed in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle Wilson is an ambitious social climber, wife of George Wilson , and the mistress of Tom Buchanan. Wilson owns a run-down garage in the Valley of Ashes. Myrtle herself possessed a fierce vitality. Unfortunately for her, she chose Tom, who treated her as a mere object of his desire.
How is Myrtle objectified in The Great Gatsby?
Just like Daisy, Myrtle is objectified by Tom. She is not respected as a human. Tom can come by anytime and Myrtle has to be ready to please him. Through radical feminist's lens, in patriarchal society, when a woman tries to stand up for her right, the man will come to take it.
What does Myrtle look like?
Myrtle. A native of dry Mediterranean scrub, common myrtle, Myrtus communis, is an aromatic evergreen shrub with pointed, glossy leaves. Its sweet-scented flowers, white with a hint of pink, have very long stamens which create a fluffy appearance. These are followed by small purple-black berries.
What does Myrtle's death symbolize?
Myrtle's death symbolizes the death of the American Dream because she is someone who tried to achieve it and move up in life but was ultimately killed because of it. The repeated appearance of the green light motif is used to represent the American Dream. Once that light dies, the Dream dies with it.
Why is Myrtle attracted Tom?
Myrtle is a very classy lady who wants the riches in life and wants somebody who can supply her with these wants and needs. Tom is the guy that can do this for her and more, compared to Wilson he is more put together and wealthier and therefore Myrtle is attracted to him.
How does Nick describe Myrtle?
Nick's first impression of Myrtle Wilson, recounted in Chapter 2, emphasizes a sense of “vitality” emanating from her physical presence. Despite not being a particularly beautiful woman, Myrtle possesses a liveliness and energy that proves captivating.
How did George know Myrtle was cheating?
Later on, in Chapter 7, George starts to suspect she's having an affair when he finds her dog's leash in a drawer at the house. He locks her upstairs in their house, determined to move out west once he gets the money from the car sale he's waiting on from Tom.
Is Myrtle a victim in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle is a victim of the selfish exploitation of the upper classes, but she is not a sympathetic character, being herself hard and heedless of others' feelings.
What is the difference between Daisy and Myrtle?
Daisy comes from a wealthy upper-class family and she has been raised in privilege while Myrtle has to fight for everything she has. Myrtle is attempting to give the impression of a wealthy, high-class woman, but she does not have the figure of a high-class woman.
How does Tom treat Myrtle?
To Tom, Myrtle is just another possession, and when she tries to assert her own will, he resorts to violence to put her in her place. Tom at once ensures and endangers her upwardly mobile desires.
What does myrtle symbolize for Tom?
Myrtle displays a robust sexuality and the reader can see why Tom is attracted to her – she is the opposite from the pure, delicate and insubstantial Daisy. Myrtle represents the idea of escape in the novel, but like other characters, her dream is false and filled with illusion.
What do roses and myrtle symbolize?
It symbolizes love, affection, and beauty. Myrtle flowers are often used in ceremonies involving weddings as they represent the bride's purity and innocence. They also symbolize fertility because of their association with Venus who was known as the goddess of love and fertility.
Why is myrtle named myrtle in The Great Gatsby?
The name Myrtle is used to describe her because the name is as equally as unflattering. This quote shows her lack of beauty. Myrtle flowers are not nearly as beautiful and delicate as Daisies which is why Myrtle is just the mistress, and is later killed off.
Why are Daisy and myrtle named after flowers?
Daisy and Myrtle are two characters with these symbolic floral names, one with a life of money, and one without. Daisy flower petals represent an external appearance of purity and innocence, in contrast to the yellow center that shows how corrupt Daisy was by her materialism and desire for wealth.