Differences Between Daisy Buchanan And Myrtle Wilson

The Stark Contrasts Between Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby presents a captivating portrayal of the Roaring Twenties, brimming with opulence, disillusionment, and complex characters. Among the most intriguing figures are Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson, two women seemingly trapped by societal constraints yet vastly different in their aspirations, personalities, and ultimately, their fates. While both women exist within the shadow of powerful men, their approaches to navigating their circumstances, their social standing, and their inner desires reveal a profound chasm between them. This essay delves into the significant differences between Daisy and Myrtle, exploring their social class, their personalities, their relationships with men, and the tragic consequences of their choices.

Social Class: A Defining Divide

The most immediate and perhaps most significant difference between Daisy and Myrtle lies in their social class. Daisy hails from old money, an established, wealthy family with a long history of privilege. Her upbringing instilled in her a sense of entitlement and a certain detachment from the realities faced by those outside her social circle. Her world is one of lavish parties, elegant clothes, and effortless grace. Her wealth grants her a degree of freedom, albeit a freedom often masked by societal expectations. She can afford to indulge in her whims, to express her discontent through careless actions, and to ultimately retreat behind a veil of privilege.

Myrtle, on the other hand, is firmly entrenched in the working class. Her life is a stark contrast to Daisy's; she lacks the financial security and social standing that Daisy takes for granted. Her world is one of grit and practicality, where survival often trumps aspiration. Myrtle's social limitations constrain her options and shape her choices in ways vastly different from Daisy's. Her pursuit of a better life, albeit through questionable means, is fueled by a desperation born from her circumstances. The difference in their social standing profoundly influences their behavior, motivations, and interactions with the world around them.

The Illusion of Choice: Class and Agency

While both women experience limitations imposed by their gender in the patriarchal society of the 1920s, their class backgrounds significantly impact their agency. Daisy's wealth allows her a certain degree of choice, even if that choice is often limited to selecting between various forms of comfortable dissatisfaction. She can manipulate situations and people to suit her desires, masking her actions behind a façade of elegance and innocence. Myrtle, however, has far fewer options. Her actions are often driven by necessity and a longing for escape from her mundane reality, leading her to make choices that carry far greater risks. The illusion of choice, therefore, is far more pronounced for Daisy, highlighting the complexities of class and agency within the novel.

Personality and Aspirations: A World Apart

Beyond their social standing, Daisy and Myrtle differ significantly in their personalities and aspirations. Daisy is portrayed as a complex character, simultaneously alluring and elusive, charming and callous. Her emotional landscape is characterized by a deep-seated discontent and an inability to fully commit to genuine emotion. She is often described as superficial and careless, prioritizing her own comfort and social standing above genuine relationships. Her actions are driven by a desire for security and maintaining her privileged lifestyle.

Myrtle, in contrast, is more outwardly passionate and assertive. Her desires are less veiled and more readily apparent. While she may be materialistic and ambitious, her longing for a better life is more visceral and less sophisticated than Daisy's. Her assertive nature, often expressed through vulgarity and aggression, is a direct result of her limited options and frustrated desires. While Daisy masks her desires behind a veneer of sophistication, Myrtle wears hers openly, a stark reflection of their differing social positions.

A Spectrum of Desire: Materialism vs. Escape

Both Daisy and Myrtle exhibit materialistic tendencies, yet their motivations differ substantially. Daisy's materialism stems from a lifelong immersion in wealth and luxury. It's an ingrained part of her identity, a symbol of her social status. Myrtle's materialism, however, represents a yearning for a life beyond her current circumstances. Her desire for material possessions is linked to a deeper longing for escape – an escape from her impoverished life and her unfulfilling marriage. The pursuit of material goods acts as a proxy for a larger, more elusive desire for happiness and social mobility.

Relationships with Men: Power Dynamics and Control

The relationships Daisy and Myrtle have with men further underscore the stark differences between them. Daisy's relationship with Tom Buchanan is characterized by a complex dynamic of power and control. While Tom is undoubtedly the dominant figure, Daisy skillfully manipulates him and uses her charm to maintain a degree of influence. Her relationship is built on a foundation of mutual dissatisfaction and a shared understanding of their social positions. She accepts the confines of her marriage, even if it means sacrificing personal fulfillment.

Myrtle's relationship with George Wilson, her husband, is marked by a stark imbalance of power. George is portrayed as a weak and somewhat pathetic figure, completely subservient to Myrtle's desires. Myrtle's affair with Tom Buchanan stems from a desire to escape the confines of her marriage and experience a different kind of life, one infused with the luxury and excitement she witnesses in Tom's world. Her relationship with Tom, while fueled by passion, highlights her powerlessness in the face of a man who ultimately disregards her.

The Price of Infidelity: Different Consequences

Both Daisy and Myrtle engage in extramarital affairs, but the consequences of their actions differ significantly due to their class positions. Daisy's affair with Gatsby, while causing emotional turmoil and contributing to the tragedy of the novel, doesn't carry the same social stigma or immediate consequences as Myrtle's affair. Her position within high society allows her a level of impunity that Myrtle lacks. Myrtle's affair, on the other hand, carries far greater risks and ultimately leads to her tragic death, a consequence directly linked to her social vulnerability.

Tragic Fates: A Reflection of their Circumstances

The contrasting fates of Daisy and Myrtle serve as a powerful commentary on the societal constraints and limitations faced by women in the 1920s. Daisy, despite her unhappiness and her role in the tragedy, ultimately escapes unscathed, protected by her wealth and social standing. She retreats back into her privileged world, continuing to live a life of comfortable discontent. Myrtle, however, pays the ultimate price for her aspirations and her transgression. Her death, a consequence of her affair with Tom and her lack of social protection, serves as a tragic indictment of the societal structures that constrain women's choices and determine their destinies.

The Illusion of the American Dream: A Comparative Analysis

The American Dream plays a significant role in shaping the lives of both Daisy and Myrtle. However, their interpretations and experiences of this dream differ considerably. For Daisy, the American Dream is already realized; she embodies the ideal of wealth and social privilege. Her pursuit of happiness doesn't involve climbing the social ladder but rather navigating the complexities of maintaining her already established position. Myrtle, on the other hand, embodies the yearning for the American Dream, a desire for upward mobility and escape from her impoverished circumstances. Her affair with Tom represents a desperate attempt to attain the luxury and status that define the American Dream, a dream that ultimately proves fatal.

Conclusion: A Study in Contrasts

The differences between Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the social and economic realities of the 1920s. Their distinct class backgrounds shape their personalities, aspirations, and relationships with men. While both women are constrained by the societal expectations placed upon them, their approaches to navigating these constraints, and the ultimate consequences of their choices, reveal a stark contrast in their experiences and fates. Daisy's privileged position allows her a degree of agency and impunity that Myrtle lacks, ultimately highlighting the devastating impact of social class on individual lives and choices within the context of the American Dream. Their contrasting stories serve as a powerful commentary on the complexities of gender, class, and the pursuit of happiness in a society rife with inequality. Their contrasting fates highlight the tragically different consequences for women navigating the precarious landscape of love, ambition, and the elusive American Dream during the Jazz Age.