Who Killed George? The Great Gatsby Murder Mystery Finally Solved!

6 minutes on read

F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, presents a compelling narrative centered around themes of wealth and love but its conclusion hinges on violence and death. The question of who killed George Wilson in The Great Gatsby becomes the pivotal point, inextricably linked to the actions of characters like Jay Gatsby. Myrtle Wilson's tragic demise at the hands of Daisy Buchanan in the automobile incident leads to the erroneous belief that Gatsby was responsible, ultimately fueling the vengeful actions of George Wilson himself, who is further fueled by the words of Tom Buchanan. This analysis seeks to dissect the events and motivations to solve once and for all who killed George in The Great Gatsby, providing an understanding of the interconnected culpability.

The Great Gatsby (2013) - Poolside Murder Scene (9/10) | Movieclips

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Unraveling the Mystery: Structuring an Article About George Wilson's Death in The Great Gatsby

To effectively address the query "who killed george in the great gatsby," the article layout must be structured logically, presenting evidence and arguments in a clear and compelling manner. The aim is to deliver a satisfying answer while respecting the nuances of the narrative.

1. Introduction: Setting the Stage

The introduction should immediately engage the reader and establish the central question:

  • Hook: Begin with a captivating statement or brief anecdote related to the enduring fascination with The Great Gatsby and its mysteries. This could involve a discussion of popular theories or common misconceptions about the killer.

  • Context: Provide a concise summary of the key events leading up to George Wilson's death. Briefly describe the setting (Long Island in the 1920s), the characters involved (George Wilson, Myrtle Wilson, Jay Gatsby, Tom Buchanan), and the central conflict (Myrtle's affair, the car accident).

  • Thesis Statement: Clearly state the purpose of the article: to definitively identify the individual most responsible for George Wilson's death, while acknowledging the complex web of contributing factors. The thesis should ideally lean towards highlighting the culpability of Tom Buchanan while not absolving George entirely of responsibility for his actions.

2. Background: Establishing the Facts

This section provides the foundation for understanding the events surrounding the murder.

2.1. The Car Accident and Myrtle's Death

  • A detailed recount of the hit-and-run incident involving Myrtle Wilson. Focus on factual details: the type of car, the location, the immediate aftermath.
  • Emphasize that Gatsby was behind the wheel, albeit inadvertently due to Daisy's actions.
  • This section should be objective, relying on textual evidence from the novel.

2.2. George Wilson's State of Mind

  • Explore George Wilson's character and his relationship with Myrtle. He is portrayed as a defeated and heartbroken man.
  • Examine his reaction to Myrtle's death, highlighting his grief and his determination to find the driver of the car.
  • Note his increasingly erratic behavior and his descent into madness and vengeance.

2.3. Tom Buchanan's Manipulation

  • This is a critical subsection focusing on Tom's role in manipulating George.
  • Present evidence of Tom's deliberate framing of Gatsby for Myrtle's death.
  • Quote passages where Tom plants the seed of suspicion in George's mind. Highlight his self-serving motive: to escape blame and protect his reputation.

3. Analysis: Unpacking the Responsibility

This section dissects the culpability of each involved party.

3.1. George Wilson's Agency

  • Acknowledge that George ultimately pulled the trigger, making him directly responsible for Gatsby's death and his own suicide.
  • Analyze the extent to which his actions were driven by his own judgment versus Tom's manipulation.
  • Consider whether his grief and mental instability diminished his capacity for rational thought.
  • The arguments presented here might have a table format summarizing:

    Argument Evidence from Novel Counter Argument
    Acted on his own volition His single-minded pursuit of the car He was driven by grief and manipulated by Tom
    Felt betrayed by Myrtle and Gatsby His suspicion of Myrtle's infidelity He was fueled by misinformation

3.2. Jay Gatsby's Complicity (Indirectly)

  • Although Gatsby didn't intend to kill Myrtle, his actions contributed to the chain of events.
  • His wealth and extravagant lifestyle created the environment that attracted Myrtle.
  • Daisy's involvement as the actual driver further complicates Gatsby's role.

3.3. Tom Buchanan: The Master Manipulator

  • Present the strongest argument for Tom's primary responsibility.
  • Detail his deliberate act of deception in telling George that Gatsby owned the car that killed Myrtle.
  • Emphasize his motive: self-preservation and a desire to punish Gatsby.
  • Illustrate how Tom exploited George's vulnerability and grief to achieve his own ends.
  • Use quotes like “He told Wilson it was Gatsby who had driven the car.” to reinforce the point.

4. Conclusion: Re-emphasizing the Key Player

  • Avoid a definitive conclusion that states absolutely who is to blame. Instead, summarize the evidence presented throughout the article.
  • Reiterate that while George pulled the trigger, Tom Buchanan's calculated manipulation makes him the most morally culpable for the tragic outcome.
  • Reflect on the themes of social class, wealth, and moral decay that underlie the events in The Great Gatsby.

Video: Who Killed George? The Great Gatsby Murder Mystery Finally Solved!

Who Killed George? The Great Gatsby Murder Mystery - FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the shocking conclusion of our investigation into George Wilson's death in The Great Gatsby.

What was the crucial piece of evidence that revealed the truth about who killed George in The Great Gatsby?

The most crucial piece of evidence was the analysis of the tire tracks at the scene. They definitively linked Myrtle Wilson’s death not just to a car owned by Gatsby, but to the driver, ultimately leading to the conclusion about who killed George in The Great Gatsby.

Why did people initially believe Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle’s death?

People wrongly believed Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death due to his ownership of the distinctive yellow car and Tom Buchanan's deliberate manipulation of George Wilson, pointing the blame at Gatsby. Tom knew Gatsby hadn't been driving, but saw an opportunity for revenge. This deception further clouded the question of who killed George in The Great Gatsby.

How did Tom Buchanan benefit from Gatsby's death?

Tom benefited by avoiding responsibility for his role in Myrtle's death and by eliminating Gatsby, his romantic rival. Framing Gatsby allowed him to maintain his social standing and marriage, effectively escaping consequences related to who killed George in The Great Gatsby and Myrtle.

If Daisy killed Myrtle, why wasn't she held accountable?

Daisy wasn't immediately held accountable because Tom shielded her. His manipulative nature and social influence helped him redirect blame onto Gatsby. The novel highlights the power dynamics that allowed the wealthy to escape justice, even in a clear case of who killed George in The Great Gatsby.

So, there you have it! Hopefully, you now have a clearer picture of who killed George in *The Great Gatsby*. It's a tangled web, right? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!