Myrtle Wilson Character Analysis

Words that never fade are those that never lose relevance. The lessons they teach evolve with fickle social climates and therefore transcend chronological barriers. Published in 1925, The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald is an example of such that fascinates young and old to this day. Hailed as the Great American Novel, it captures the essence of the Roaring Twenties, an era of opulence and moral debauchery. However, the book’s most enthralling aspect is not the engaging plot or otherworldly setting, but its extraordinary characters. From secret ambitions to profound longings, they embody both the life that people live and the one that everyone desires. The Great Gatsby endures as a work of literature because its characters capture the essence of humanity, enabling readers of all generations to identify with them. Throughout life, every person encounters something that he or she wants, but cannot hope to obtain. This fascination with the forbidden can be attributed to an innate desire and curiosity for what is out of reach. Myrtle Wilson, the mistress of Tom Buchanan, exemplifies …show more content…
Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald presents each of his characters in an intimate manner. By revealing their innermost thoughts and motivations, the author supplants the reality of human nature into the novel. This enables readers to sympathize and identify with even the most immoral characters. Every character from Jay Gatsby to Myrtle Wilson is an accurate portrayal and reflection of reality, making the action of condemning them equivalent to condemning oneself. The Great Gatsby is a novel for the lost, the unfaithful, the unhappy spouse, the hopeful college graduate, the outsider and insider, the wealthy, the poor, and so many more. It characters lend it an undeniable reality and universality that allows it to transcend the barriers of time, truly making it the Great American