Comparing Tom And Myrtle In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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In contrast, Myrtle and Tom share more traits than that of their respective partners. Myrtle thinks highly of herself, a trait that both Tom and Myrtle partake between one another. When meeting Myrtle for the first time, Nick Carraway examines her manner and thinks, “‘These people! You have to keep after them all the time’...and swept into the kitchen, implying that a dozen chefs awaited her orders there” (Fitzgerald 32). Myrtle thinks she is part of a much higher class than that of other people. Tom and Myrtle are both lackadaisical, thinking that they are above everyone else around them and not caring for anyone else but themselves. An attribute while not an ideal trait for one to have, is a trait that both Tom and Myrtle share. Tom and Myrtle …show more content…

This shows the unjust traits that Tom as a human being as well as one of the main character in this novel. Furthermore, it shows how he is relatable to that of Myrtle’s character as she also has atrocious qualities. Myrtle cares for the finer objects in life just like Tom. As Scott Donaldson states, “But what Myrtle buys and plans to buy during the Sunday party in Chapter Two tellingly reveals her status. She aims for extravagance, but has had no experience with it” (4). Like Tom, Myrtle strives for material wealth without a care for anything else. Both Tom and Myrtle want the best of anything they can receive. With this mentality, they strive to achieve the best they can obtain and they are able to do so with Tom’s wealth as Tom has much wealth and glory to his name. Tom and Myrtle are also able to support one another. As Tom deliberately states to Myrtle, “‘Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it”’ (Fitzgerald 28). This portrays the extravagant behavior that Tom …show more content…

When meeting Tom for the first time, Myrtle exclaims, “‘I was so excited that when I got into a taxi with him, I didn’t hardly know I wasn’t getting into a subway train. All I kept thinking about, over and over, was ‘You can’t live forever; you can’t live forever”’ (Fitzgerald 36). This quote shows the bona fide emotions that Myrtle has for Tom. In the beginning, Tom did not enjoy her presence but grew to like her the more time they spent with one another. The romance between the two is authentic which makes for Tom and Myrtle being the most legitimate relationship in contrast to their respective companions. Myrtle has authentic feelings for Tom that include real love as well as the love for Tom’s extravagant wealth. As writer Tanfer Emin Tunc mentions, “As Tom's mistress, Myrtle endures his constant abuse because she is attracted to the old wealth and glamour he represents. Tom indulges her, even acquiring a small apartment in New York City for their romantic trysts” (5). This shows that Myrtle loves Tom for the popularity and aura Tom has around him. Furthermore, she also loves Tom for the wealth and fortune that he can bring to

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