20-minute plan
- Review your novel notes to flag all scenes featuring Myrtle Wilson
- Connect two of her key actions to the novel’s themes of class or wealth
- Draft one thesis statement that frames her role in the story’s critique of society
Keyword Guide · character-analysis
Myrtle Wilson: Character Analysis for The Great Gatsby
High school and college students studying The Great Gatsby need clear, actionable analysis of Myrtle Wilson for class discussions, quizzes, and essays. This resource skips vague claims and focuses on concrete, teacher-approved points you can use immediately. Start with the quick answer to get a baseline understanding of her role.
Myrtle Wilson is a working-class woman in The Great Gatsby who pursues wealth and status outside her unhappy marriage. Her choices expose the emptiness of the American Dream for those locked out of old money circles, and her death drives critical plot shifts. Jot down one specific action of hers that reveals this motivation to add to your notes.
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Answer Block
Myrtle Wilson is a central secondary character in The Great Gatsby. She represents the desperation and performative excess of the newly wealthy and working-class people chasing upward mobility in 1920s America. Her relationships and decisions highlight the novel’s critique of class inequality and moral decay.
Next step: List three of Myrtle’s actions that align with this definition, then link each to a specific theme from the novel.
Key Takeaways
- Myrtle’s obsession with status reveals the hollow nature of the American Dream for marginalized groups
- Her death acts as a narrative turning point that uncovers hidden tensions between old and new money
- Her interactions expose the double standards for gender and class in 1920s society
- She is not a one-dimensional villain; her choices stem from systemic class barriers
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Map Myrtle’s character arc from her first appearance to her death, noting shifts in her behavior
- Compare her pursuit of status to one other character’s (e.g., Gatsby, Tom) and identify core differences
- Write a 3-paragraph mini-essay using your arc map and comparison as evidence
- Revise your thesis to be more specific, then add one quote-free example to each paragraph
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Flag all scenes with Myrtle in your novel or annotated text
Output: A list of 4-6 key scenes with brief notes on her actions and dialogue
Action: Link each flagged scene to a novel theme (class, wealth, gender, moral decay)
Output: A 2-column chart pairing scenes with themes and supporting observations
Action: Draft a character analysis outline that focuses on her motivation and narrative purpose
Output: A 3-section outline with a thesis, evidence points, and concluding insight
Discussion Kit
- What does Myrtle’s choice of clothing reveal about her desire for status?
- How does Myrtle’s marriage reflect the novel’s critique of working-class limitations?
- In what ways does Myrtle’s death change the trajectory of the main plot?
- Why do you think the novel frames Myrtle’s pursuit of wealth as more tragic than Gatsby’s?
- How do male characters in the novel treat Myrtle, and what does this say about gender roles?
- Would Myrtle’s fate be different if she had been born into old money? Explain your answer.
- What does Myrtle’s apartment in New York City symbolize about her identity?
- How does Myrtle’s character help the author comment on the emptiness of 1920s excess?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In The Great Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson’s desperate pursuit of status exposes the myth of the American Dream by highlighting the systemic class barriers that trap working-class people in cycles of despair.
- Myrtle Wilson’s tragic end in The Great Gatsby serves as a cautionary tale about the moral cost of chasing wealth without regard for personal integrity, reflecting the novel’s broader critique of 1920s consumer culture.
Outline Skeletons
- 1. Intro: Thesis linking Myrtle’s motivation to class inequality; 2. Body 1: Myrtle’s marriage and working-class limitations; 3. Body 2: Her relationship with Tom as a escape attempt; 4. Body 3: Her death as a symbol of unfulfilled upward mobility; 5. Conclusion: Restate thesis and connect to modern parallels
- 1. Intro: Thesis framing Myrtle as a victim of gender and class double standards; 2. Body 1: How male characters exploit Myrtle for their own gain; 3. Body 2: Her performative excess as a response to societal pressure; 4. Body 3: The novel’s failure to center her perspective; 5. Conclusion: Restate thesis and reflect on her narrative purpose
Sentence Starters
- Unlike Gatsby, whose pursuit of wealth is tied to a personal ideal, Myrtle’s chase is rooted in...
- Myrtle’s choice to [action] reveals that she believes status can fix the...
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can identify Myrtle’s core motivation and link it to a novel theme
- I can explain how Myrtle’s death impacts the main plot
- I can compare Myrtle’s character to at least one other major character
- I can connect Myrtle’s actions to 1920s historical context
- I can avoid framing Myrtle as a one-dimensional gold digger
- I can cite specific scenes (no direct quotes) to support my analysis
- I can explain Myrtle’s narrative purpose beyond plot device
- I can link Myrtle’s character to the novel’s critique of the American Dream
- I can identify double standards in how Myrtle is treated compared to wealthy characters
- I can draft a clear thesis statement about Myrtle’s role in the novel
Common Mistakes
- Framing Myrtle as a purely selfish or manipulative character without acknowledging her class limitations
- Focusing only on her death without analyzing her full character arc
- Failing to connect Myrtle’s actions to broader novel themes like class or gender
- Using direct quotes without proper context or analysis of their meaning
- Ignoring the historical context of 1920s class inequality when discussing Myrtle’s motivation
Self-Test
- What theme does Myrtle’s obsession with status most clearly reveal?
- How does Myrtle’s death affect the other main characters?
- What is the difference between Myrtle’s pursuit of wealth and Gatsby’s?
How-To Block
Action: Gather all textual evidence of Myrtle’s behavior, relationships, and key scenes
Output: A organized list of 5-6 specific, quote-free observations about Myrtle
Action: Link each observation to a specific theme or historical context from the novel
Output: A chart that connects evidence to themes, with brief explanations
Action: Draft a concise analysis that ties all observations together with a clear thesis
Output: A 300-word character analysis that you can use for class discussion or essay drafts
Rubric Block
Character Interpretation
Teacher looks for: A nuanced understanding of Myrtle’s motivation that avoids stereotypes
How to meet it: Acknowledge her flaws while linking her choices to systemic class barriers and 1920s gender norms
Textual Evidence
Teacher looks for: Specific, relevant references to the novel that support your analysis
How to meet it: Cite specific scenes (no direct quotes) and explain how they reveal Myrtle’s character or thematic ties
Thematic Connection
Teacher looks for: Clear links between Myrtle’s character and the novel’s central themes
How to meet it: Explicitly connect her actions, relationships, or death to themes like class inequality, the American Dream, or moral decay
Myrtle’s Core Motivation
Myrtle’s primary drive is to escape her limited working-class existence. She sees wealth and status as a way to gain power and respect she can never access in her marriage. Use this before class to lead a discussion about how systemic barriers shape character choices.
Myrtle’s Narrative Purpose
Myrtle is not just a plot device to drive the novel’s climax. She exposes the double standards of 1920s society, where wealthy men can act with impunity while working-class women are punished for similar choices. Write a 1-sentence summary of this purpose to add to your exam notes.
Myrtle and Class Critique
Myrtle’s interactions with wealthy characters reveal the cruelty of old money’s exclusionary tactics. She mimics the behavior of wealthy women to fit in, but her attempts are dismissed as tacky or over-the-top. Link one of these interactions to the novel’s critique of class hierarchy for your next essay.
Myrtle’s Tragic Arc
Myrtle’s story ends in tragedy, but her arc is defined by small acts of resistance against her circumstances. She makes deliberate choices to take control of her life, even if those choices lead to her downfall. Identify one act of resistance and explain its significance in a class discussion post.
Myrtle and Gender Roles
Myrtle is subjected to harsh judgment for her extramarital affair, while her wealthy lover faces no real consequences. This double standard highlights the novel’s exploration of gender inequality in the 1920s. Compare this double standard to a modern example for a class presentation.
Avoiding Common Analysis Pitfalls
The biggest mistake students make is framing Myrtle as a one-dimensional gold digger. This ignores the systemic barriers that limit her options and reduces her to a stereotype. Revise any existing analysis you have to add context about her class and gender constraints.
Why is Myrtle Wilson important in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle is important because she exposes the novel’s critique of class inequality, gender double standards, and the hollow nature of the American Dream. Her death also drives key plot developments and forces other characters to confront their actions.
What does Myrtle Wilson represent in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle represents the desperation of working-class people chasing upward mobility in 1920s America, as well as the moral decay and performative excess of the era’s newly wealthy.
How does Myrtle Wilson die in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle’s death is a pivotal plot event that stems from a misunderstanding involving several main characters. To avoid spoilers, review the novel’s later chapters for full details, then link her death to the novel’s themes of consequence and class.
What is Myrtle Wilson’s relationship with Tom Buchanan?
Myrtle’s relationship with Tom Buchanan is a transactional affair that she sees as a path to wealth and status. Tom sees her as a distraction, and their dynamic highlights the power imbalances between old money and working-class people.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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