The Truth behind the Masks As society adapts to the changing times, there coexist social standards that are viewed as acceptable. Typically, these unspoken guidelines of living cause people to act differently in comparison to how their true selves. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s renowned novel The Great Gatsby, several of the main characters put up false identities to cover their self-perceived flaws. Provided that in the 1920s-1930s eras of the novel, it depicts how the social standards of the West Egg differ from those of the East Egg. In these two different communities, the mannerisms and principles show how the people with old money act in comparison to those with new money. Consequently, Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, and Jay Gatsby from The
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Myrtle hides the truth behind her affair with Tom Buchanon to her husband, George Wilson. According to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s article “The Great Gastby By: F. Scott Fitzgerald Character List” it states, “Through her affair with Tom she gains entrée into the world of the elite, and the change in her personality is remarkable”. Considering that Myrtle’s hidden identity is entirely different from her simple, unhappy life with her quiet, timid husband it reveals her motives are solely for living her dream. Nick describes the change of Myrtle as she lives her more glamorous life by saying, “With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change. The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur” (35). By surrounding herself with upper class people and places, Myrtle alters her gestures and assertions to appear that she belongs among their social environment. However, by lying about her affair and hidden life from George, Myrtle suffered the consequence of dying instantly from being hit by an oncoming car. The suggested motive behind why she ran out in front of the car was because she believed Tom was driving it and she wanted to speak to him about how George is suspicious of her whereabouts. In the end, Myrtles mask of lies lead to her sudden death, which coincidentally brings …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby, it shows a prime example of how society’s accepted standards can cause an individual to hide who he or she really is to others. As set in the novel, there exist two different social-status communities called the West Egg and East Egg, which create tensions between the main characters. Likewise, most of the main characters fight for the approval of others, which directs them towards dishonesty and eventually their downfall. Some of the characters that end up suffering repercussions from having a facade of lies are Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, and Jay Gatsby. Lastly, this illustrates that as long as there is an approved social standard or “American dream”, there will always be individuals who are masking
Myrtle hides the truth behind her affair with Tom Buchanon to her husband, George Wilson. According to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s article “The Great Gastby By: F. Scott Fitzgerald Character List” it states, “Through her affair with Tom she gains entrée into the world of the elite, and the change in her personality is remarkable”. Considering that Myrtle’s hidden identity is entirely different from her simple, unhappy life with her quiet, timid husband it reveals her motives are solely for living her dream. Nick describes the change of Myrtle as she lives her more glamorous life by saying, “With the influence of the dress her personality had also undergone a change. The intense vitality that had been so remarkable in the garage was converted into impressive hauteur” (35). By surrounding herself with upper class people and places, Myrtle alters her gestures and assertions to appear that she belongs among their social environment. However, by lying about her affair and hidden life from George, Myrtle suffered the consequence of dying instantly from being hit by an oncoming car. The suggested motive behind why she ran out in front of the car was because she believed Tom was driving it and she wanted to speak to him about how George is suspicious of her whereabouts. In the end, Myrtles mask of lies lead to her sudden death, which coincidentally brings …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby, it shows a prime example of how society’s accepted standards can cause an individual to hide who he or she really is to others. As set in the novel, there exist two different social-status communities called the West Egg and East Egg, which create tensions between the main characters. Likewise, most of the main characters fight for the approval of others, which directs them towards dishonesty and eventually their downfall. Some of the characters that end up suffering repercussions from having a facade of lies are Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, and Jay Gatsby. Lastly, this illustrates that as long as there is an approved social standard or “American dream”, there will always be individuals who are masking