The Tragedy of Myrtle Wilson

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Myrtle’s ambition proves to be her fatal flaw in being the tragic hero. The goal of her ambition is to lead her to a higher social status. In pursuit of her ambition she expresses that her husband, George Wilson, serves as an obstacle since he is in the opposite direction of where she wishes to be. She expresses disgust in George for committing actions that are considered lowly by her standards. She was particularly unenthused with her husband after it is revealed that “he borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married” without telling her. (35) She expresses her marriage as regretful, which illustrates her ambition to strive for better, being Tom. Essentially it illustrates that she would rather be treated with little respect to achieve status, rather than to be treated with respect without status. Myrtle not only exudes her ambition through her pompous attitude, but also in the manner in which she carries herself. She is a young woman in her “middle thirties, and faintly stout, but (carries) her surplus flesh sensuously,” and although she is not attributed with beauty she is somewhat charismatic. (25) The way in which she carries herself may be considered sexual, and her persona is alluring for men such as Tom. Her seducing persona illustrates her ambition in being a temptress in order to move up the social ladder. Myrtle’s perception of reality is blurred. She fails to recognize her social standing as someone of the lower class, and instead brings upon a self lead pretentious charade that she is of the upper class. She has an acquired habit of stating that various aspect in her life are under her expectations. She insists that she only “married him because (she) thought he was a gentleman”, and that he “fit to lick ... ... middle of paper ... ...y. When Daisy states that he is a brute, he expresses his dissatisfaction, however he remains calm. This illustrates that her perception is blurred since she does not recognize the fact that Tom has very little respect for her. Her trust for Tom is at a highly excessive level, ultimately resulting in the cost of her life. This occurs as “she (rushes) out (onto the road), into the dusk waving her hands and shouting” at the car in which she believes Tom to be driving. (7. 5-6. 137) As she sees the approaching vehicle she anticipates that it will stop for her since Tom is driving it. When she realizes that Tom is not in the car, and that the car is not stopping, it is too late and Myrtle is killed instantly. The poor sense of judgement that Myrle carries in her affair with Tom best illustrates her as the tragic hero. Works Cited Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby

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