Myrtle's Death in The Great Gatsby Analysis: Unveiling Symbolism

Myrtle's Death in The Great Gatsby: What's Behind the Symbolism?

So, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"—it's this book that's all about the flashy life and sneaky dealings of rich folks in America during the 1920s. It's kinda like peeking into a world where money talks, but at the heart of it, there's this shocking moment when Myrtle Wilson dies. She's not rich or anything, just trying to make her way up the social ladder. This essay? It's all about digging into what Myrtle's death really means and how it ties into the big themes Fitzgerald was getting at.

The Meaning Behind Myrtle's Death

Myrtle’s death, if you think about it, really shows the dark side of chasing that American Dream. It's like everyone wants to climb up that social ladder, no matter what it takes. Fitzgerald uses Myrtle to show how regular folks are desperately trying to step up in life. But then she dies, and we're left to wonder what's really going on here.

That yellow car that hits Myrtle is pretty symbolic. It's owned by Jay Gatsby—a guy with more money than he knows what to do with—and it's basically a symbol for all things materialistic and excessive. When you get too caught up in wealth and status, bad things happen, right? The car being yellow is also worth mentioning since yellow's linked with deceit and corruption—pretty fitting for the story.

And let's not forget where it happens—the Valley of Ashes. Sounds dreary already, doesn’t it? It’s this wasteland between West Egg and New York City that stands in stark contrast to the lavish lifestyle of the rich folks. In many ways, it's representing how empty chasing dreams can be when you're stuck in reality. Myrtle dying there just makes her struggle seem even sadder and pointless.

What Myrtle's Death Means for Everyone Else

Now let’s see how her death affects other characters like Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom Buchanan. For Gatsby, his whole obsession with Daisy gets pretty dark here. Even with all his riches, he's still paying for his actions. Her death reminds us that no amount of money can erase your past.

Daisy isn’t off the hook either; she's got her own moral issues going on. When she drives Gatsby's car after the accident—it’s like she’s trying to save herself no matter who else suffers because of it. Classic upper-class behavior: looking out for number one!

And then there’s Tom Buchanan—what a piece of work! He cheats with Myrtle but doesn't want any blame when things go wrong. That just shows his arrogance and entitlement as one of those privileged few who think they’re above everyone else.

Wrapping It Up: What Does This All Tell Us?

Myrtle’s tragic end is more than just an event in "The Great Gatsby." It's revealing how dangerous chasing dreams can be when they're based on illusions like social mobility through wealth alone—often ending badly for those daring enough to try breaking class boundaries without considering consequences first.

The symbols used by Fitzgerald—like yellow cars or barren landscapes—not only point out moral decay among high society but also emphasize futility faced by lower classes attempting upward movement within such a corrupted system.

• Fitzgerald, F.S. (2004). The Great Gatsby. Scribner.
• SparkNotes Editors (2021). SparkNote on The Great Gatsby.
• Pearson Education (2003). Study Guide: The Great Gatsby.
• Tanner, T. (1990). “The Great Gatsby”: Critical Insights.
• Bruccoli, M.J., & Baughman J.C., Eds (2000). F.Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby': A Literary Reference Edition.