In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, George Wilson is a character who is often overlooked, but plays a crucial role in the story. Wilson is the husband of Tom Buchanan's mistress, Myrtle, and owns a small garage in the valley of ashes, which is a desolate area located between West Egg and New York City.
Wilson is a quiet and unassuming man who is deeply in love with his wife, even though she is unfaithful to him. Despite his love for Myrtle, Wilson is also deeply unhappy and feels trapped in his life in the valley of ashes. He is unable to escape the monotony and meaninglessness of his existence, and becomes increasingly isolated and depressed as the novel progresses.
Wilson's character serves as a foil to the other characters in the novel, particularly to Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Tom is a wealthy, arrogant, and selfish man who treats people, including Myrtle, as objects to be used for his own pleasure. In contrast, Wilson is a simple man who values loyalty and honesty, and is willing to forgive his wife for her infidelity.
Gatsby, on the other hand, is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who is deeply in love with Daisy Buchanan, Tom's wife. Gatsby is a dreamer who believes that he can win Daisy's love and create a new life for himself. Wilson, on the other hand, is a realist who has given up on his dreams and is resigned to his fate in the valley of ashes.
Despite their differences, Wilson and Gatsby both share a sense of longing and desire for something more in their lives. Gatsby longs for Daisy and the life he could have had with her, while Wilson longs for a life of happiness and fulfillment with Myrtle.
In the end, Wilson's character arc serves as a tragic commentary on the consequences of the greed and selfishness of the other characters in the novel. When he discovers that Tom is responsible for Myrtle's death, he becomes consumed by a desire for revenge and ultimately takes his own life. Wilson's tragic end serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of desire and the importance of leading a life based on values and integrity.
