Similarities Between Myrtle Wilson And The Great Gatsby

A wise woman once said, “Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it.” Actually, that’s a line from the movie, The Incredibles, but the quote still holds true in the real world without the superpowers depicted in the film. Identity is the culmination of values, beliefs, and passions. As we grow up, we begin to form our identity, and different upbringing can result in alternate identities. This fact is what causes the world to be such a unique and diverse place. When I think about myself compared to Myrtle Wilson from the novel, The Great Gatsby, I realize that my identity is extremely contrary to hers. However-- there are similarities between myself and Myrtle, even shrouded in the contrasting ideals. My identity would be very

Myrtle is described as a woman who “-- carried her surplus flesh sensuously--,” (Fitzgerald 29). This woman is explained to be a very sensual looking person, with a body she likes to share with others. Fitzgerald demonstrates this when he writes, “She had changed her dress to a brown figured muslin which stretched tight over her rather wide hips--” (31). Myrtles choice of clothing highly contrasts the way I would present myself in public. I tend to prefer more comfortable and appropriate clothing, rather than a tight fitting, body glove of a dress. These selections from the novel show how, similar to Myrtle, many women, both in the 1920’s and now, use their bodies to feel confident. Instead of relying on their intelligence and personalities, women rely solely on their sexuality and assets to set them apart from others. This thought was not only prevalent in the 1920’s, it still

She believes that by behaving rudely and arrogantly she seems ostentatious and prestigious. This is shown when she says, “"I told that boy about the ice." Myrtle raised her eyebrows in despair at the shiftlessness of the lower orders. "These people! You have to keep after them all the time." She looked at me [Nick] and laughed pointlessly…”(36). Myrtle also completely undermines her marriage of eleven years in the quote, “You were crazy about him for a while,” said Catherine. “Crazy about him!” cried Myrtle incredulously. “Who said I was crazy about him? I never was any more crazy about him than I was about that man [Nick] there.” (39). She compares her care for her husband to be equal to that of her care for Nick Caraway. These quotes prove Myrtle's’ character to be one lacking in morals, empathy, and kindness. My personality tends to be one of more positivity, and solicitousness about others. I love helping members of my family, workplace and friend group and encouraging them to be confident in themselves and their talents; Myrtle Wilson is quite the opposite, as she describes her husband to be filled to the brim with encumbrance. These quotes demonstrate that Mrs. Wilson and people like her in the 1920’s were willing to throw away people for a shot at making a name for themselves. In my life, I would rather have many close friends and a large support network, rather than have a high social