Tom and Mrs. Wilson: A Tale of Two Cities (and One Very Expensive Gift)
So, you're wondering what the heck Tom buys Mrs. Wilson in New York, huh? Well, buckle up, because this is a tale as old as time (or at least as old as The Great Gatsby).
The Setting: New York, New York
Let's set the scene. It's the roaring twenties, and New York City is the place to be. Jazz is in the air, flappers are shimmying, and Tom Buchanan is cheating on his wife with a woman named Myrtle Wilson. Classy.
The Gift: A Puppy or a Punchline?
Now, here's where things get interesting. Tom, in a moment of either extreme generosity or desperate attempt at redemption, decides to buy Myrtle a gift. And what does a man who has everything buy for his mistress? A diamond necklace? A fancy car? Nope. He buys her a puppy.
An Airedale puppy, to be precise.
I mean, props to Tom for thinking outside the box, but an Airedale? Really? It's like he's trying to say, "Hey, I'm sorry I'm a terrible person, here's a dog. Now go play fetch and forget about me cheating on your husband."
The Aftermath: A Recipe for Disaster
Of course, this grand gesture backfires spectacularly. Myrtle's husband, George, finds the puppy's collar and, well, let's just say it doesn't end well for anyone involved.
But hey, at least the puppy got a good home, right?
How to...
- How to avoid being a character in The Great Gatsby: Don't cheat on your spouse. Or, if you must, at least don't buy your mistress a puppy.
- How to pick a good gift: Consider the recipient's interests. A puppy might be great for some, but for others, it's more of a, uh, paw-sitive disaster.
- How to read between the lines: Sometimes, a puppy isn't just a puppy. It's a plot device, a symbol, and a very expensive mistake.
- How to appreciate irony: The whole situation is just rich with irony. From Tom's misguided attempt at redemption to the tragic consequences, it's a masterclass in dramatic irony.
- How to write a better book than The Great Gatsby: Just kidding. That's impossible.