Myrtle Wilson In The Great Gatsby

Throughout the entire story, the wealthy people from the upper class hastily spend their money on materialistic goods. Jay Gatsby, who lives in the West Egg, wanted to complete the American dream in hopes that Daisy, who resides in the East Egg, would notice him and his wealth. He hosted weekly parities in which “men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings.” (Fitzgerald, 39) However, the definition of American Dream was fulfilled by “hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance,” (Mantsios, 307) contradicting Gatsby’s way of becoming rich. Another character, Myrtle Wilson, who is part of the lower class and lived in the “valley of ashes” (Fitzgerald, 23), strives to live fancily which leads her to have an affair with Tom Buchanan
so that she is able to have all these riches. Gatsby’s happiness comes from having Daisy’s attention while Myrtle’s happiness comes from living in affluence. Both Myrtle and Gatsby presume that money will lead them to their happiness, but they ultimately face the consequences in the end.