Myrtle

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Women experienced difficulty moving up the social ladder.
Myrtle unconventionally uses her sexual allure to become of a higher class.

Question 1

What descriptions of Myrtle make her the foil of Daisy?

Answer 1

‘Carried her flesh sensuously’
‘No facet or gleam of beauty’
‘perceptible viability’

Question 2

‘Cream coloured’ meaning

Answer 2

Represents through colour symbolism that while she tries to impersonate the upper class she is not pure enough.

Question 3

‘I want to get one of those dogs’ meaning

Answer 3

Materialism has made myrtle insensitive, a dog is simply an object to her which connotes wealth.

Question 4

‘Noisy, creaking, pivot through smoking air’ meaning

Answer 4

Myrtle is an outsider she does not embody the upper class, her habits and mannerisms differ.

Question 5

‘Left breast swing loose’

Answer 5

Her sexuality is her most prominent characteristic and is even highlighted in her death.

Question 6

‘Chocked on the vitality she stored for so long’ Technique

Answer 6

Metaphor

Question 7

‘Chocked on the vitality she stored for so long’ Meaning

Answer 7

Dehumanised, no consideration for her death due to her lack of status.

Question 8

‘He had on a dress suit and patent leather shoes and I could not keep my eyes of him’ Meaning

Answer 8

Highlights her desire for wealth as she focuses and is excited by the items which depict Tom’s class and status.

Question 9

How would a Marxist view Myrtle?

Answer 9

‘Myrtle’s American dream commodifies her as Tom treats her like an object who’s value decreases as his eyes see fit’

Question 10

‘The impersonal death machine violates Myrtle’s female identity and ravages her’ Who said this?

Answer 10

Parkinson

Question 11

What did Akenson say about Myrtle?

Answer 11

‘Showcases the lower class desire and frantic quest for wealth’