In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, a main theme is the contrast between the upper and working societal classes. The novel, set in the twenties displays the contrast between these classes that is still transpiring in the nineties. Jay Gatsby, Jordan Baker, Daisy and Tom Buchanan represent individuals from the upper class, whereas Myrtle and George Wilson are representative of the working lower class individuals in society. We learn about these characters through Nick, a middle class man. In this essay I will focus on contrasting the upper class women- Daisy and Jordan- with the working class woman- Myrtle Wilson- and how one becomes emotionally whole through self expression.
Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker were both born into families with money. When Daisy married Tom Buchanan, she married into more wealth. Jordan's tennis career has kept her with money and thereby
allows her to live in the upper class lifestyle. Both women are far removed from the reality of knowing what it is like to work and struggle to get by in life. Both have been able to enjoy the lavish lifestyle of the upper class without having had to work for it.
Myrtle's sharp character gives her more personality than both Daisy and Jordan. More readers are probably able to understand Myrtle's desires and emotions because she does not attempt to mask or have a superficial front to her feelings. Myrtle expresses her true emotions whereas Daisy and Jordan do not. By expressing herself Myrtle is more able to be satisfied than Daisy and Jordan, who take whatever comes to them. In this way Myrtle can be defined as the more emotionally whole woman of the three.
Despite always yearning for better, when Myrtle died she was probably more satisfied with her accomplishments and realized the preciousness of life, more
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