Answer:
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," the marriages of Tom and Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle and George Wilson are portrayed in a complex and critical manner. Through the discussions and shared beliefs of the characters at the apartment, including Catherine, Mrs. McKee, Myrtle, Tom, and Nick, we can examine how each couple viewed their marriages and the values they represented.
Tom and Daisy Buchanan's marriage is depicted as one built on superficiality and societal expectations. They are both members of the wealthy elite, and their union is seen as a means of preserving their social standing and securing their material comforts. Their marriage is characterized by infidelity, indifference, and a lack of genuine emotional connection.
During the discussions at the apartment, Tom's true nature is revealed as he openly carries on an affair with Myrtle. This reflects his disregard for the sanctity of marriage and his belief that he can indulge in extramarital relationships without consequence. Daisy, on the other hand, appears to be aware of Tom's infidelity but chooses to remain in the marriage for the sake of appearances and the financial security it provides.
The shared beliefs and discussions of the characters at the apartment expose the superficiality of Tom and Daisy's marriage. Their guests, Catherine and Mrs. McKee, engage in gossip and display a lack of respect for the institution of marriage. Their presence reinforces the notion that Tom and Daisy's marriage is not based on love or mutual respect but rather on the preservation of their social status.
In contrast, the marriage of Myrtle and George Wilson is portrayed as a stark contrast to the Buchanans'. Myrtle, trapped in a loveless and poverty-stricken marriage, seeks an escape from her unhappy life through her affair with Tom. She desires the material comforts and social status that Tom can provide, which she believes will bring her happiness.
George, on the other hand, is depicted as a simple and hardworking man who loves his wife, despite her unfaithfulness. He represents the disillusioned working class, struggling to make ends meet and trapped in a relationship devoid of true connection. His views on marriage are more traditional, as he values loyalty and commitment.
The discussions and exchanges in the apartment shed light on the contrasting values in Myrtle and George's marriage. Myrtle's pursuit of material wealth and social status is evident, as she flaunts her affair with Tom in front of the guests. She believes that her relationship with Tom represents a better life, highlighting her dissatisfaction with her marriage to George.
Nick, as an observer of these relationships, provides a critical lens through which to view the marriages in the novel. He recognizes the superficiality and moral corruption within the Buchanan marriage, and he is both intrigued and repelled by the toxic dynamics at play. Nick's perspective offers insight into the hollowness of these marriages and the consequences of valuing wealth and status over genuine emotional connection.
Overall, the marriages of Tom and Daisy Buchanan, as well as Myrtle and George Wilson, are presented in "The Great Gatsby" as flawed and lacking in true love and commitment. Through the discussions and shared beliefs of the characters at the apartment, the novel critiques the superficiality, infidelity, and materialism that undermine these relationships. Fitzgerald's portrayal of these marriages serves as a commentary on the shallow values of the Jazz Age and the emptiness that can result from prioritizing societal expectations over authentic human connection.