George Wilson
Quote
“But when he heard himself say this, he flinched and began to cry ‘Oh, my God!’ again in his groaning voice.”
------Fitzgerald, 157
------Fitzgerald, 157
Role
He is the only person who does not belong to the rich class, and thus highlights the contrast between the rich and the poor and what the rich characters might lack. He is also the second tragic figure in the novel (Gatsby is the first) because he is at the mercy of rich people. Tom treats him condescendly and he acts as a victim of the rich people’s game in the novel. George Wilson works hard to give Myrtle a better life and never cheats on he; in contrast, his wife never really loves him and doesn’t even respect him. Despite this, he still blames himself for his wife’s death and suffers terrible emotional pain, which strongly contrasts the more shallow, materialistic love that other characters display.
Best Qualities
Thoughtful: “Michaelis opened the drawer nearest hand. There was nothing in it but a small expensive dog leash, made of leather and braided silver... She tried to tell me about is, but i knew it was something funny. ”(158)
True love: “...he flinched and began to cry ‘ Oh, my God!’ again in his groaning voice.” (157)
Persistent:"His movement s-- he was on foot all the time- were afterward traced to Port Roosevelt and then to Gad's Hill ... He mud the tired and walking slowly, for he didn't reach Gad's Hill until noon. " (160)
True love: “...he flinched and began to cry ‘ Oh, my God!’ again in his groaning voice.” (157)
Persistent:"His movement s-- he was on foot all the time- were afterward traced to Port Roosevelt and then to Gad's Hill ... He mud the tired and walking slowly, for he didn't reach Gad's Hill until noon. " (160)
Worst Qualities
Sheepish: “You can fool me but you can’t fool God.”(159)
Impulsive: "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete. "(162)
Impulsive: "It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson's body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete. "(162)