How Does Myrtle Criticize The Great Gatsby

Even the poor striving to become a part of the rich have no morals or ethics or even basic humanity. One does to some extent sympathize with the lower class in general but Gatsbys portrayal of the Wilsons removes all feelings of pity for them. Despite the heavy critique on the Buchanans and Gatsby Fitzgerald has failed to provide a sympathetic scenario for the Wilsons, as they represent lower class. George and Myrtle try to improve their life the only way they know how by either clinging to their business or by selling their bodies. Myrtle “rents” her body to Tom Buchanan in hopes of him marrying her in the future whereas her husband acts as a lapdog for Tom Buchanan. They are shown as villainous characters as they are committing evils that go beyond the morals of the society but in reality they are victims. They are victims of capitalism and the social class difference present in their society. Their portrayal as vermin in the eyes of the rich is accurate but readers do not feel sympathetic towards them which

But why must we judge them for trying to achieve success through any means necessary? When we can remain quiet in terms of the rich and their illegal activities why should we criticize the Wilsons? The fact that Tom is having an affair with a low class woman also reinforces the prejudiced view that poorer women lack sexual morals, and are more likely to sleep around than ‘classy’ ladies. They are victims of oppression but we feel angry at George that he doesn’t have what it takes to “pull himself up by his bootstraps” and better himself, as the American dream tells us he should. We always end up blaming the victim instead of the system that victimizes him or her. The Wilsons are trying to do what is best for them, but the negative portrayal of their personalities make it hard for us to feel sorry for them and the situation they are