Myrtle (and her husband George) represent the lower classes. They live in the 'valley of ashes', an area literally and symbolically. impoverished, a great contrast to the luxury of the mansions of Long Island.

What does Myrtle's name symbolize?

Myrtle is a feminine given name or nickname derived from the plant name Myrtus; it was popular during the Victorian era, along with other plant and flower names. Myrtle, a symbol of a happy marriage, is often included in a bridal bouquet.

What type of woman does Myrtle represent?

Myrtle Wilson represents materialism and the fight to climb up in the social ranks. She represents the struggle of low- to middle-class women, who are bombarded with messages to buy and to socialize, but who are limited in their capacity due to the men in their lives and the patriarchy.

What is Myrtle a metaphor for?

Scott Fitzgerald's novel 'The Great Gatsby', the character Myrtle Wilson is used as a powerful metaphor for those chasing the elusive American Dream in the East. Myrtle's life and actions depict the struggles and false hopes that come with the pursuit of this dream.

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

Myrtle becomes the strange focal-point, the random element in a way, of the love-triangle between Gatsby, Daisy and Tom. Myrtle's death, from Daisy driving like a maniac with Gatsby in the car, becomes the second turning point in the story, the first being the rekindled love affair between Jay and Daisy.

The Great Gatsby | Symbols | F. Scott Fitzgerald

What is the significance of Daisy hitting Myrtle?

Daisy's behavior during and after the fatal car crash with Myrtle Wilson reinforces the carelessness and selfishness that the novel suggests defines the period.

How does Myrtle represent the 1920s?

Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby represents the elusive American Dream. She embodies the desires of the lower class seeking wealth and social nobility, but her character and fate critique the harsh realities of social mobility in 1920s America.

Does myrtle symbolize love?

The ancient Greeks dedicated the myrtle to the gods Aphrodite and Demeter and in many parts of the Mediterranean the myrtle still symbolises love and immortality. In fact, myrtle forms part of the wedding bouquet in some European countries and it is also used to make a crown for the bride.

What is ironic about myrtle?

Explanation: In The Great Gatsby, Chapter 2, Myrtle speaks in a very condescending way about the lower-class servants, such as the boy she had told to bring the ice. The irony is that Myrtle herself is not a member of the upper class, but rather is married to a man who runs a shabby garage in the Valley of Ashes.

Was myrtle pregnant in Great Gatsby?

It is very possible that Wilson is impotent. On the other hand, if she was pregnant with Tom's baby then if she hadn't died when she did then Tom would have disposed of her fairly soon after the pregnancy was discovered. However, there is no actual evidence in the novel to my knowledge that she is pregnant.

How is Myrtle objectified in The Great Gatsby?

It is evident throughout the story that Myrtle is bored in her marriage with George and desires to live a happy life while being accepted by those she cares about. However, Tom sees Myrtle as an object that he can throw away, replace or kick to the side whenever he wants to.

What are the symbols in The Great Gatsby?

Why doesn't Tom divorce Daisy?

Myrtle believes that the only reason Tom will not divorce Daisy is because Daisy is Catholic. But we learn that Tom's feelings for Myrtle are far less intense than he has led her to believe and that social pressure prevents him from ever leaving Daisy, who comes from a similar upper-class background.

Is Myrtle jealous of Daisy?

F. Scott Fitzgerald presents jealousy through the character Myrtle. Myrtle is jealous of all things to do with Daisy, as Daisy is an aristocratic woman with high status and wealth, this is everything that Myrtle aspires to have along with an aristocratic lifestyle.

How is Myrtle contrasted with Daisy?

Daisy is a light skinned blonde; who dresses mostly in white. While Myrtle has a darker complexion with dark hair. Myrtle chooses to dress in loud vibrant colors to reflect her big personality. Daisy is light, graceful and exactly as her name implies; a delicate flower. …

How does Myrtle represent the corruption of the American dream?

Myrtle has this affair because she strives and dreams to be a part of the wealthy social class. Through this affair with Tom, she can achieve the American Dream, even if it's short-lived and fake. She can pretend to be a wealthy woman, wear fancy clothes, spend money recklessly, and entertain guests.

What does the Colour Myrtle symbolize?

To the Persians, Jews and Arabs, myrtle was a symbol of paradise. In a spiritual context, the myrtle flower can also symbolise purification and rebirth, while in the language of flowers, the white or creamy colour of its blossoms represent purity, hope and innocence.

What color was Gatsby's car that killed Myrtle?

Color Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

Gatsby's world was filled with the yellow of corruption. He drove a yellow Rolls-Royce, the car that caused the death of Myrtle Wilson.

What does the Daisy symbolize?

Nonetheless, they are frequently associated with purity, childbirth, new beginnings, and cheerfulness. Daisy petals symbolize innocence and are commonly associated with childhood memories of collecting wildflower bouquets. Flower girls scatter Daisy petals at weddings to represent the purity of love.

What does myrtle smell like?

Myrtle, Common is a pale yellow or orange liquid with a clear, fresh, camphoraceous, sweet herbaceous scent similar to Eucalyptus.

Who is myrtle jealous of?

While Jordan and Tom stop for gas at the Wilson's gas store, Myrtle mistakes Jordan for Daisy. Myrtle was notoriously jealous of Daisy.

How is Myrtle affected by money?

In Myrtle's eyes, money is an escape from life with her husband in the valley of ashes, something that brings status, and something that buys class. After all, Tom's money secures her fancy apartment and allows her to lord it over her guests and play at sophistication, even while Nick looks down his nose at her.

How is it ironic that Daisy killed Myrtle?

First, Daisy Buchanan is the driver of the mysterious “death car”—she's the one who accidentally runs over and kills Myrtle. This is ironic because while the reader knows that Tom Buchanan had been having an affair with Myrtle, Daisy has no idea that the woman she killed was her husband's mistress.

Did Gatsby run over Myrtle on purpose?

Later that night, Tom and Gatsby drive their own cars back from the city. When Myrtle sees the yellow car coming down the road, she assumes it's Tom, breaks out of her room, and runs out to seek his help. Myrtle's mistake proves fatal when Daisy, who's driving Gatsby's car, accidentally hits her, killing her instantly.

Does Daisy know she killed Myrtle?

Daisy, who doesn't know Myrtle, is driving the car when it strikes Myrtle down; Daisy doesn't even stop to see what happened, and escapes without consequences. The lower class characters – Gatsby, Myrtle, and George – are thus essentially sacrificed for the moral failings of the upper class characters of Tom and Daisy.