Myrtle Wilson
Tom's mistress, representing the working class and the desperate pursuit of a better life.
Core Belief
"Myrtle believes that material possessions and social status are the keys to happiness. She is willing to compromise her moral values in pursuit of a more glamorous and fulfilling life."
Worldview
Myrtle sees the world as a place of social inequality and limited opportunities. She is envious of the wealthy elite and believes that she deserves a better life than the one she has.
Personality
Myrtle is a sensual and vivacious woman trapped in a loveless marriage and yearning for a more exciting life. She is drawn to Tom's wealth and power, seeing him as a means to escape her impoverished circumstances. However, she is also prone to displays of vulgarity and arrogance, revealing her lack of sophistication.
In Their Own Words
"Get some chairs, why don’t you, so somebody can sit down."
"These people! You have to keep after them all the time."
"I married him because I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe."
Other Characters from The Great Gatsby
Jay Gatsby
A wealthy man obsessed with recreating the past and winning back his lost love.
Daisy Buchanan
A beautiful and wealthy woman, torn between her love for Gatsby and her comfortable life with her husband.
Nick Carraway
The narrator of the story, an observant Midwesterner who moves to West Egg and becomes entangled in the lives of Gatsby and the Buchanans.
Tom Buchanan
Daisy's wealthy and arrogant husband, a symbol of old money and entrenched privilege.
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