We continued to look at chapter 2 today, this time focussing on the introduction of Myrtle Wilson and the ways in which she is presented to us by Nuck. Iasked you to think of the diference between the presentation of Myrtle and Daisy.
There are lots of different interpretations of these two characters out there. There are a few quotations taken from other students below. Do you agree with them?
Remember, you need to form your own opinions after considering the opinions of others. Personally, I don't find Daisy or Myrtle particularly likeable but this is not surprising as Nick stated at the start of the novel that Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction. Nick is writing the novel after he has clearly told us that Gatsby is the only person we are going to meet whom he actually liked.
The character "Daisy" is named after a beautiful flower. Myrtle's name is quite different. A myrtle is a shrub that is used as a headge (a border) in a garden. However, the myrtle was also considered to be the sacred tree of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
Daisies are pretty common. They grow wild. Nothing really special about them. There was nothing really special about Daisy either -- even though Gatsby thought there was. She was narcissistic, selfish and really didn't even care very much about her own child. Myrtle on the other hand, is cheating on her husband, but she does seem to actually love Tom. Or at least she cares deeply for him. They are two very different women.
Myrtle is like a powerhouse. She's got vitality and energy-a very strong feminine personality. Although she is not attractive in the way that Daisy is, she has an allure that comes from her strength as a woman.
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