How Does Myrtle Behave As The Party Progresses

How Myrtle Wilson's Behavior Evolves Throughout The Great Gatsby's Party Scenes

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is renowned for its vibrant depictions of lavish parties, glittering extravagance, and the underlying moral decay of the Roaring Twenties. Within this whirlwind of champagne, jazz, and careless abandon, Myrtle Wilson emerges as a fascinating and tragic figure, her behavior dramatically shifting as the parties unfold, reflecting both her own desires and the societal constraints placed upon her. This essay will analyze Myrtle's behavior throughout the novel's key party scenes, highlighting the subtle and dramatic changes that reveal her complex character and tragic fate.

Myrtle's Initial Appearance: A Craving for Escape

Myrtle's first appearance isn't at one of Gatsby's extravagant affairs, but rather in a much more modest, yet revealing, setting: the sparsely furnished apartment in the Valley of Ashes. Here, she's presented as a woman stifled by her circumstances, her life a stark contrast to the opulence she glimpses through Tom Buchanan's eyes. Her initial behavior reveals a desperate yearning for something more, a hunger for the excitement and luxury that the wealthy world offers. She is bold, assertive, and even aggressive in her pursuit of this elusive escape.

The Illusion of Power

This initial aggression isn't born of inherent cruelty, but rather a compensatory mechanism stemming from her powerlessness. Her marriage to the meek and unambitious George Wilson is a cage, and her affair with Tom offers a temporary sense of agency and control. In this small apartment, surrounded by borrowed finery, she displays a false sense of power, enacting a performance of upper-class lifestyle. The party in the apartment, though small compared to Gatsby's, serves as a microcosm of her desires, a miniature imitation of the grander celebrations she observes from afar. This foreshadows the later impact of exposure to truly extravagant events.

Gatsby's Parties: A Glimpse of Another World

When Myrtle witnesses Gatsby's parties, a profound shift occurs in her behavior. The sheer scale and extravagance of these events overwhelm her. While earlier she exhibited a certain brazenness, here she appears awestruck and overwhelmed. She's no longer the assertive woman wielding borrowed power; she's a spectator, caught in the dazzling spectacle. The opulence is alluring, but also intimidating, highlighting the vast chasm between her reality and the world of the ultra-rich.

The Impossibility of Belonging

Myrtle's behavior at Gatsby's parties underscores her inability to truly integrate into this world. She's an outsider looking in, even within Tom's presence. Despite her affair with Tom, she remains fundamentally excluded from the inner circle of his social elite. This creates a sense of frustration and yearning, which is subtly conveyed through her demeanor and interactions. She observes the lavish displays but cannot participate in them authentically, leading to a growing sense of disconnect.

The Contrast of Worlds: A Growing Disillusionment

The contrast between the claustrophobic confines of the apartment and the boundless extravagance of Gatsby's parties highlights the inherent limitations of Myrtle's aspirations. While she briefly enjoys the illusion of power in her own small-scale party, the true societal power dynamics are brought to the forefront at Gatsby's. Her behavior shifts from a bold display of borrowed power to a more subdued and almost desperate attempt to connect with a world that will ultimately reject her.

The Unattainable Dream

The lavish parties represent an unattainable dream, a symbol of the American Dream distorted and corrupted by wealth and social inequality. Myrtle's initial aspiration for upward mobility through her relationship with Tom is further complicated by her exposure to Gatsby's wealth and influence. She realizes that even Tom, despite his wealth and social standing, is ultimately not part of the most exclusive circles. This realization is reflected in her behavior, moving from assertive ambition to a subdued longing.

The Crumbling Facade: A Descent into Despair

As the novel progresses, Myrtle's behavior shifts towards a growing sense of disillusionment and desperation. The initial boldness and bravado are replaced by a sense of underlying sadness and vulnerability. Her attempts to bridge the gap between her reality and the world of the wealthy become increasingly futile, leading to a tragic downfall.

The Unraveling of the Illusion

The initial excitement of the affair fades, revealing the emptiness of the superficial life she craves. The parties themselves become a backdrop for her increasing despair, underlining the superficiality of the world she desperately tries to enter. Her yearning for acceptance and belonging is never fulfilled, only deepening her sense of isolation and desperation.

The Fatal Consequence: A Tragic End

Myrtle's ultimate fate is a direct consequence of her behavior and her desperate pursuit of a life beyond her reach. She is ultimately a victim of the social hierarchy and the illusions of the wealthy, her dreams crushed by the very world she sought to enter.

The Price of Ambition

Myrtle's behavior throughout the parties highlights the dangerous allure of the American Dream and the devastating consequences of chasing illusions. Her tragic death is not simply a random event; it's a logical culmination of her attempts to transcend her social limitations, ultimately highlighting the inherent inequality and societal structures that contribute to her downfall.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Unfulfilled Desire

Myrtle's evolving behavior across the party scenes of The Great Gatsby serves as a poignant commentary on the complexities of class, desire, and the unattainable American Dream. Her initial assertiveness, gradual disillusionment, and tragic end resonate throughout the novel, making her a powerful symbol of unfulfilled aspirations and the destructive nature of societal inequalities. The contrast between her behavior in the modest apartment setting and the grand parties of West Egg ultimately exposes the heartbreaking chasm between her aspirations and the cruel reality of her limited opportunities. Her story remains a powerful testament to the human capacity for both desperate yearning and tragic downfall.