Fsaf

Annie Wittenberg The Great Gatsby Catherine and Michaelis Although Catherine and Michaelis are minor characters in the novel The Great Gatsby, they both had influenced the fatal events and outcomes towards the end; however, in different ways. With the results of Myrtle, Mr. Wilson, and Gatsby’s deaths; it was the minor characters, Catherine and Michaelis who had an influence on the outcome of the tragedy. Throughout all of the characters, Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, had known about the affair between Tom and Myrtle. Catherine was often present at gatherings with Tom and Myrtle, she seemed to be supportive of their affair. Catherine encouraged her to leave Mr. Wilson at one point. "She really ought to get away from him..” (pg 39). Myrtle was a social-climber, and wanted to give herself that good name and luxurious lifestyle. Myrtle was upset that her husband was not a rich man, and Tom's wealth seemed to draw her to him in that way. Just as her sister, Catherine may have been a social-climber as well. “She came in with such a proprietary haste, and looked around so possessively at the furniture that I wondered if she lived here. But when I asked her she laughed immoderately, repeated my question aloud.” (pg 34). She may have perhaps even felt that she could share the benefits of the affair, knowing Tom was a wealthy man and shared his money with Myrtle. However, others discovering the affair could destroy her reputation, therefore, she kept quiet in order to protect her and her sister throughout the novel. After the three deaths, Catherine’s view on the affair started to change. She didn’t want to be connected with Myrtles affair and life because of her reputation. She no longer cared about the benefits of the affair because of the mess that was made. Because there were deaths associated with the affair, Catherine needed to protect her and her Myrtles names. At court, she denied all of the claims that Myrtle was cheating on Mr. Wilson and that she had no knowledge of an affair. “Looked at the coroner with determined eyes under that corrected brow of hers and swore that her sister had never seen Gatsby, that her sister was completely happy with her husband, that her sister had been into no mischief whatever.” (pg 172). The result of that made it seem as if Mr. Wilson simply just went insane, and nothing else could be done. Michaelis however, wasn’t related to any of the characters and had no idea about the affair until after Myrtles death. He was of the few charitable people to be found in the novel. Michaelis, a Greek coffee shop owner, was a friend to Mr. Wilson. He was there after Myrtles death to comfort Mr. Wilson. Worried after hearing Mr. Wilson’s irrational words, Michaelis spent the night comforting him. “Michaelis made a clumsy attempt to distract him.”(pg 164). It was then when Mr. Wilson snuck out across Long Island to find the man who killed his wife whom he thought was Gatsby. There was nothing Michaelis could’ve done to stop Mr. Wilson, he tried his best to help. Again after the three deaths, Michaelis had no intentions to protect himself nor his reputation. He saw that Mr. Wilson was in a deranged state and haunted by the death of his wife, so he did all he could to help him. Michaelis had no personal gain or nothing to protect but Mr. Wilson. His attempts failed however, Mr. Wilson went insane and killed Gatsby and himself. Both characters influenced the outcome of the novel. Catherine, could’ve taken the bad name away from Gatsby by revealing the truth about the affair. Michaelis, tried to help comfort a soul but that wasn’t enough. The minor characters in the novel have just as great as an impact as the main characters, even if their influences and ways are greatly different. Bibliography 1) Fitzgerald, Frances Scott. The Great Gatsby. First Scribner Paperback Fiction ed. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925. 2) Gale Group. "The Great Gatsby." MSN Encarta. Beacham’s Guide to Literature for Young Adults. 1 June 2009 .