Chapter two introduces the audience to Tom’s mistress Myrtle, who lives on the outskirt of West Egg in a ‘desolate area of land’. Fitzgerald illustrates Myrtle as a flat character, as her experiences such as Tom’s physical violence towards her do not impact her choices to stay with him, as she continues to be enchanted by the extravagance of Tom’s lifestyle; something she deeply desires to share with him. It is at this point Nick’s description influences our preconception of Myrtle, as woman of low social standing and therefore holding no purpose in the eyes of society. It is evident upon our first encounter with her that she views Tom as form of escapism from her bleak life, as soon as Tom comes into view she walked ‘through her husband as if he were a ghost’. This suggests as tom holds the key to bring her social status up, and this is something her husband cannot provide her with, Myrtle is disinterested in the ‘spiritless’ man she married.
As the chapter develops …show more content…
This is further suggested through her ‘immoderate’ and exaggerated tone of voice when being asked by Nick if she lived here, when repeating the same question asked by Nick it become apparent to the reader that is different to Myrtle in several ways. Despite trying to look as if she belongs in this ‘top-floor apartment’ she freely admits to Nick that she is not of woman of money through her sarcastic- shocked voice when he asks if she lives here. Fitzgerald demonstrates through both Myrtle and Catherine that the poor class of women had limited options to advance themselves, often relying on a man to look after them. Therefore Catherine is a character, despite her need look as if she is a ‘someone’ whose actions evoke pity from a reader as her social standing defines her, subsequently making her attitude
As the chapter develops …show more content…
This is further suggested through her ‘immoderate’ and exaggerated tone of voice when being asked by Nick if she lived here, when repeating the same question asked by Nick it become apparent to the reader that is different to Myrtle in several ways. Despite trying to look as if she belongs in this ‘top-floor apartment’ she freely admits to Nick that she is not of woman of money through her sarcastic- shocked voice when he asks if she lives here. Fitzgerald demonstrates through both Myrtle and Catherine that the poor class of women had limited options to advance themselves, often relying on a man to look after them. Therefore Catherine is a character, despite her need look as if she is a ‘someone’ whose actions evoke pity from a reader as her social standing defines her, subsequently making her attitude