George Wilson

• Who is George Wilson's wife?

  Myrtle Wilson
• What is George Wilson's occupation?

  Car mechanic
• Where does George Wilson live?

  Above his garage in the Valley of Ashes
• How is George Wilson depicted in the novel?

  As downtrodden and lifeless
• What does George Wilson represent in the novel?

  The working-class man
• How does Wilson's character contrast with Tom Buchanan's?

  Wilson is powerless, while Tom is powerful
• What does Wilson discover in Chapter 7?

  That Myrtle is cheating on him
• How does Wilson react to Myrtle's affair?

  He locks her away in the garage
• What event leads to George Wilson's breakdown?

  The death of his wife, Myrtle
• How is George manipulated by Tom Buchanan?

  Into killing Gatsby
• What percentage of Americans lived below the poverty line during the Roaring Twenties?

  60%
• What does George Wilson do after Myrtle's death?

  He kills himself
• What does W.E.B. Du Bois describe in his 1926 essay?

  The coexistence of prosperity and depression
• What social class emerged due to the economic surge in the 1920s?

  The nouveau riche
• What does Fitzgerald critique regarding the American Dream?

  It is a mirage and unobtainable
• What does the Valley of Ashes symbolize?

  The consequences of industrialization
• How do the inhabitants of the Valley of Ashes appear in Fitzgerald's description?

  As grey creatures and unreal illusions
• What does the contrast between the Valley of Ashes and East/West Egg represent?

  The disparity between wealth and poverty
• How is George Wilson physically described?

  As a blond, spiritless man
• What does Wilson's dependency on Tom reveal about their relationship?

  Wilson is financially dependent on Tom
• What does Wilson's invisibility symbolize?

  His lack of wealth and power
• How does Wilson's passivity manifest in his daily life?

  He struggles but does not aspire for more
• What does Wilson do when he learns about Myrtle's affair?

  He becomes physically ill and exhausted
• How does Tom's reaction to Daisy's affair differ from Wilson's reaction to Myrtle's affair?

  Tom formulates a plan, Wilson feels guilty
• What does Wilson hope to achieve by buying Tom's car?

  Financial security
• How does Tom treat Wilson during their interactions?

  With indifference and manipulation
• What does Wilson's character illustrate about the social dynamics of the time?

  The power imbalance between classes
• Who is having an affair with Wilson's wife?

  Tom
• How does Tom treat Wilson regarding his affair with Myrtle?

  Tom openly flaunts the affair to Wilson
• What does Tom's behavior towards Wilson indicate about their relationship?

  Tom exploits Wilson's financial dependence
• What does Wilson want to do after learning about Myrtle's affair?

  He wants to take her to the West
• How does Wilson feel about his financial situation in relation to Tom?

  He feels financially dependent on Tom
• How does Myrtle treat Wilson in their relationship?

  Myrtle orders Wilson around without respect
• What does Michaelis's observation about Wilson imply?

  Wilson is submissive to his wife's desires
• What change occurs in Wilson's behavior in Chapter 7?

  He locks Myrtle up to keep her
• What does Wilson's need to restrain Myrtle indicate about his control?

  He lacks true control over their relationship
• How does Tom perceive Wilson's intelligence?

  Tom believes Wilson is unintelligent
• What evidence suggests Wilson's naivety regarding Myrtle's affair?

  He trusts Myrtle's claims about her sister
• How does Wilson react after Myrtle's death?

  He seeks revenge for her death
• What does Wilson mistakenly believe about the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg?

  He believes they represent God