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The Tragic Endings of Myrtle Wilson, Tom Wilson, and Gatsby: A Reflection on the American Dream
The Tragic Endings of Myrtle Wilson, Tom Wilson, and Gatsby: A Reflection on the American Dream
Introduction
The American Dream, often touted as the quintessential ideology of opportunity and prosperity, has always been a complex and multi-faceted concept. However, the end of the American Dream is often depicted in vivid detail within the narrative of The Great Gatsby. As we delve into the characters of Myrtle Wilson, Tom Wilson, and Gatsby, it becomes clear that their tragic endings represent the darker side of this dream. In this article, we explore what each of these characters wanted and whether they achieved even a small part of their aspirations.
Myrtle Wilson: The Desire for a Better Life
Myrtle Wilson, Tom's wife, is a classic example of an individual who embodies the pursuit of the American Dream through social mobility. Myrtle is married to a man of modest means, but her encounters with Jay Gatsby reveal her unfulfilled desires for a life of luxury and status. Unlike her husband, Myrtle is depicted as sharp, restless, and unconventional. She is constantly chasing after a life that she believes will provide her with the happiness and security she lacks.
However, Myrtle's aspirations lead her into a life of infidelity and deception, which ultimately results in her tragic death. Myrtle is killed in a car accident involving Gatsby and his car, which suggests that her desire for the upper-class life consumed her to the point where she betrayed her husband and lost her life.
Tom Wilson: The Illusion of Power and Control
Tom Wilson, Myrtle's husband, also embodies the American Dream, but in a different and more sinister form. Tom is a man of wealth and privilege, and he represents the corruption that often accompanies such status. Unlike Myrtle, who dreams of a better life, Tom is content with his current position but desires even more. Like other characters in the novel, he drifts further into a life of infidelity, gambling, and deceit.
Tom's end comes in the form of his violent confrontation with Gatsby, which ends in his own demise. The confrontation reveals the hollow nature of Tom's pursuit of control and power, emphasizing that the American Dream for him has ultimately proven to be an illusion.
Jay Gatsby: The Pursuit of Avarice and Romance
Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, is a complex character whose pursuit of the American Dream is both compelling and tragic. Gatsby's story is one of a man who has achieved a certain level of success and status, but this has come at a great cost. He has become a wealthy socialite who throws extravagant parties and pursues an idealized romance with Daisy Buchanan. However, Gatsby's life is not as glossy as it appears. He has a complex past and is driven by a desire to win back the love of his life, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
Gatsby's end is fittingly tragic, marked by his death at the hands of Tom Wilson, who believes he is protecting his wife Myrtle from Gatsby's advances. Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream has ultimately led to his destruction. His story is a prime example of how the dream can consume a person to their own detriment.
Conclusion: The Dark Side of the American Dream
The deaths of Myrtle Wilson, Tom Wilson, and Gatsby all point to a darker side of the American Dream. While each character pursues something they believe will bring them happiness and success, their end stories suggest that their path was ultimately a dead end. They illustrate that the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to tragic consequences, including infidelity, violence, and self-destruction.