What Is Myrtle Wilson's Role In The Great Gatsby

The depiction of women various throughout time and places. Until the twentieth century, women were vaguely thought of, dependent on the man to create history, and represent humanity. And then the roaring twenties hit, a time where women’s suffrage started and the creation of a new idea, a new breed of women is beginning. Swenson tells us that The Great Gatsby is nothing but a poor misconception of women, demeaning them to mere objects, stating that the novel’s “interpretation of a 1920 woman’s role in society and lacks appreciation for the increasing economic and social liberation of women at the time” (Swenson). All of these changes are creating new people, a new era; something of freedom, liberation, and the idea women could be independent,

Yet another self absorbed female character who values herself over others. Myrtle is also shallow and materialistic. As she is cheating on her husband with Tom, she doesn’t really love either of them, she only loves the money: She is actually more content with money rather than love. And the only way she can get said money, is to flaunt herself. Myrtle is okay with the thought of using her sexuality to get attention, and with that attention money. In Ivan Štrba’s Emancipated Women of The Great Gatsby, the author notes that Myrtle is a voluptuous and sultry woman, who is only interested in moving up in the world, “Her vitality is evident, as she dominates the people she is exposed to interaction within the novel. The language she uses is energetic, direct and unselfconscious about her own sexual needs” (Štrba 43). Myrtle has no problem telling and taking what she wants, making her seem like a confident woman. But, in reality, she is only using her own body to get what she wants, without thinking of the consequences for herself or others. Myrtle is an extremely negative portrayal of women everywhere. Her thoughtlessness devalues the preciousness of a woman’s body, and of the commitment and risks that go along with sexual activity. Her recklessness makes women seem careless about their bodies. It also gives off the idea that women do not need or want love, as long as they have money, they can stay content. Her own carelessness is what leads to her demise; the same goes with so many other careless