THE GREAT GATSBY Chapter 2: Daisy & Myrtle Compare and contrast Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson in the chart below. Then, answer the questions that follow. Daisy Buchanan DIFFERENCES: ● She grew up in the upper class and is rich. ● Wears mainly white and is quiet and controlled although fairly bubbly ● Acts like life is perfect around Tom even though it is not ● Daisy is in an abusive relationship with Tom and is seeking a love relationship ● Lives in the East Egg. Myrtle Wilson DIFFERENCES: ● Grew up in the lower class ● Presents more flashily wearing deep or bright colors and being loud ● Acts like she is not apart of the lower class ● Respected by George but unaware of her choices ● Lives in the Valley Ashes and is a bit more trashy and represent herself less feminine SIMILARITIES: ● Both are unhappy in their marriages ● Both are selfish ● Both have affairs with each other ● Both are Tom’s lovers ● Both want money. Both yell at To Analysis Questions Given the above information, why do you think Tom is attracted to Myrtle? Why is Myrtle attracted to Tom? Explain. Tom likely picks Myrtle because he thinks she will be easy to control. She is not wealthy, powerful, or socially connected, so she is not a threat to him. Daisy and Myrtle are both named after flowers. Do a Google search of both flowers (make sure to look at images), and then explain why Fitzgerald might have named Daisy and Myrtle after these particular flowers. Daisy’s name portrays her beauty. Using Daisy, a white flower, as her name, Fitzgerald used color symbolism to convey her purity and status. Daisy also has a gold yellow middle which is a symbol for Daisy’s lust for wealth and social hierarchy. Myrtle flowers are not nearly as beautiful and delicate as Daisies which is why Myrtle is just the mistress. The color of a Myrtle is a pink red color which symbolizes passion and love. These were things that Tom wasn’t getting from Daisy which is why he looked elsewhere for it.
