In the same way I have had to look at how to make bruises editorial, I am also doing the same for the scene where Myrtle dies. I have chosen this scene because it shows the drastic change in emotion and mood that I need to portray from the novel. Its a key moment in the novel, something that shouldn't be missed out when interpreting the text into images.
So looking at images that represent death in a fashionable way is actually quite interesting! I have put together a collage of images and also found some online that have helped me consider how to shoot my image. Making death look fashionable is very effective.
Looking at images that I seem to be inspired by, there is a clear theme of dark colours, model composition, facial expression, body language and accessories. The location is also very important, as is the time of day and the landscape because it creates the mood and sets the scene.
Storyboards are used often in films. They explain the idea of scenes that you are trying to pursue. Its a visual reference of a scene, helping the director, photographer, makeup artist etc recognise the key things you are trying to depict. The storyboard is built up of the sketchers interpretation of scenes from the script. Its the best way of being able to clearly visualise whats trying to be shown on camera.
Example of storyboard layout
In able to storyboard well, you must have many key skills. The text you are basing your outcome on needs to be critically read through, the composition must be effective, the text has to be well understood and there needs to be a clear recognition of the story you have drawn.
Storyboarding is generally set out like a comic book strip. Here are some examples of storyboards which we created in seminar, using other storys to prepare us for the skills we need when creating our own:
Jack and Jill Storyboard
Photograph Storyboard
Photograph Storyboard
When creating storyboards there are some key things that need to be considered. For example, the type of shot, the lighting used and the composition of models/characters. Its best to draw a 4x4 grid in the box where you're sketching, as this helps to get the composition equal.
Producing a storyboard will help you produce a dominant mood of a scene. Just by changing the lighting, it changes the mood. Storyboarding your choice of lighting and camera angle set up is very important. The image cant just be drawn as you like, it needs to be the exact positioning of the scene as it would be when shooting.
Camera Shots:
Extreme Wide Shot - background takes the image.
Wide Shot - body becomes closer to camera.
Medium Shot - body is a lot more visable.
Medium Close Up - Shoulder shot
Close Up - Head shot
Extreme Close up - Cropping around the face.
Pan Shot - Camera moving from left to right.
Tracking Shot - A moving shot.
Tilt Shot - Looking from bottom to above.
Lighting:
Up Light
Down Light
Back Light
Day Light
Ambient Light
Side Light
Sketches:
The sketches for the storyboards do not have to be artistic. Stick men are equally as effective because it just shows the ideas of composition, lighting and camera angles. If the images are going to be still images, then you do not need to draw moving things (or symbols that would represent sound or movement) because it doesnt correctly depict the right scene.
Written Information:
Next to the drawings of your storyboard, there is room for text. Within the text you should include the basic information of: type of shot, lighting, composition, angle, size of models and props (if the main focal point). Do not include speech bubbles because the images are still images (photoshoot, not film).
The final images that I am to produce are fashion images. I have chosen my three scenes in the novel that I want to shoot, showing a series of change in expression, location and emotion from the model and the set up. However, one of my scenes is when Myrtle has her nose broken by Tom; he hits her in the face when she mentions Daisy's (Tom's wife) name "in a childish way".
Creating fashion images is also about the makeup, the hair and the styling. The position of the models must be 'fashionable', telling a story but still looking beautiful and modelesque at the same time. Creating a broken nose and a black eye on the models face would make the image look as if it were for the theatre of film, not a high end fashion magazine. Therefore, I have looked at some images in high fashion magazines that I think could represent the idea of a broken nose and a black eye - showing the beaten up look but making it beautiful. It will be all about the postitioning of the model and the styling, which will determin the mood and the emotion more so than the makeup.
Here are some fashion images that I have found which for me determin the 'beauten up' fashion look:
Bruise Inspired Eye Makeup
Bulgarian Fashion Magazine - Black Eye Editorial Shoot
Creating a look like these examples to produce black eyes and broken noses will still keep the shoots on the fashion trend. If I were to create a look that exposed the full effects of being beaten up it would make it look too theatrical instead of editorial.
Reflecting on the trends of 1920's womens fashion, I have now made a moodboard of current trends that have been inspired by this era.
The types of clothing I have looked at are flapper dresses. Myrtle represents the idea of a flapper girl, therefore this style is very suitable for her. However, after looking at these styles I have come to the conclusion that they are too embellished to be for Myrtle because they represent a more expensive look. Myrtle's dress is a lot more toned down because of her wealth. The colours are very suitable for her character though, especially the orange and khaki green style. The hat also works because she is often referred to as wearing a head scarf quite often. The representation of these outfits still works when looking at the combination of 1920s fashion and contemporary style, which will help me a lot with my styling for Myrtle.
A 1920's Fashion moodboard representing the trends of women within that era.
For me, this moodboard represents everything I think of when considering 1920s fashion and Myrtle. I have looked at flapper girls, vibrant colours for an outfit, larger and less attractive women, finger waves, messy curled hair and a head scarf. These are all the facts that I consider with Myrtle from reading the novel and watching the 1974 film edition. The image of the womans head at the top in the middle is one that instantly makes me think of Myrtle, as do the two images of the flapper girls down the left hand side. They are curvy, seductive, heavily made up, slight attractive and styled well - all the things for me that underpin her character.
I have started to look at 2013 fashion trends that link with Myrtles style. The reason I am doing this is because the character I am recreating is going to be a contemporary version, and how I see her not necessarily how she is described and portrayed in other film and novel editions.
Valentino - Spring/Summer 2013
Isabele Marant - Spring/Summer 2013
Erdem - Autumn/Winter 2013/14
Moschino Cheap & Chic - Autumn/Winter 2013/14
Glambattista Valli - Autumn/Winter 2012/13
I have chosen the styles above because when first looking at them I instantly thought of Myrtle. Her style is quite quirky compared to the other women, always wearing the more vibrant 'vulgar' colours and garish patterns. She tries hard to look like a fashionable woman but generally gets it wrong. The idea of them being long but not quite fitted also represent her characters fashion. The accessories of feathers and fur also reminded me of her because she would wear these as she is a flapper girl. I think these contemporary styles represent her quite well, but they would obviously need to be made more casual because they are far to glammed up for her at the moment! They would also need to be accompanied by a head wrap as well!
1920's Fall 2012:
Fall 2012 had the inspiration of 1920's hit their catwalks. . If you have a mental picture that entails a fringed dress, feather
boa, bobbed haircut and cigarette holder, forget it entirely. Unless
you’re styling for a costume party, that’s not what this is about.Instead, what we saw on the runways, was a range of elements of 1920s fashion, subtly worked through collections in modern ways.
Flapper Dresses:
While most collections steered clear of the cliche flapper dress, it
wasn’t gone entirely. The thing for fall though, is not to wear it as
described above. A beaded or fringed drop-waist dress can easily be
modernised by your shoes and accessories.
Issa London presented one of the most obvious interpretations, though
elsewhere – such as at Ralph Lauren and Jil Sander – the simple satin
chemise sufficed as a modern update on 20s flapper dressing.
Flapper Dressesat Issa, F/W ’12
1920's Coats:
Here’s the real winner for fall/winter 2012: the 1920s inspired coat
cut. Not only is this a more practical way to indulge in a revival of
the era, it’s also the freshest. Imagine outerwear in the 1920s and
you’ll imagine something that swathes or sheaths rather than hugs the
wearer. Oversized coats in shapeless or cocoon cuts, soft and luxurious,
the kind that can be wrapped around the torso or left wide and open.
Jil Sander’s takes on these sat somewhere between the opulence of the
1920s and the refined elegance of the 1950s, but either way they felt
decidedly modern at the same time. Daks presented some floor-length
versions, and Max Mara’s cream coloured take was slim cut enough to hint
at the era without copying it too closely.
Oversized coats at Max Mara and Jil Sander, F/W ’12
Both the shift dresses above were found on www.boohoo.com - the affordable fashion website. The dresses caught my eye as appropriate fashion trends for my character because the shape is a classic 1920s style. The loose fitted, knee length dress is floaty with a dipped hem which is a classic flapper dress style.
Myrtles character experience a series of changes through the novel. She reflects many different emotions, such as happiness, loneliness, desperation, sadness and death. The majority of the emotions linked with her character represent a more negative side of her, which links with the moral of Fitzgerald's story - no one achieves happiness.
To help myself and the audience understand Myrtles character, I have created a moodboard which reflects her as a person; including location, styling, emotion, film stills, colours and patterns etc.
Myrtles initial happiness with Tom at the beginning of the novel - exciting about sneaking off to the hotel with him, being bought a puppy, talking about when she first met him etc.
Emotions depicted from this scene: love, lust, excitement, happiness, status change.
SCENE 2
Myrtle smacked by Tom - the aftermath of the hit showing the broken nose and brusing, alongside the tears and the distress in her face when she is screaming childishly Daisy's name.
Emotions depicted from this scene: distress, pain, tears, anger, childish behaviour.
SCENE 3
Myrtle is killed after being hit by a car that Daisy's driving - showing the corpse laying disheveled in the road surrounded by a dusty location and blood all over her clothing etc.
Emotions depicted from this scene: death, stillness, deserted, tragedy, lifeless.
I think this scene here (shown above) shows a range of different emotions from Myrtle that build up each of the scenes chosen, despite the events not all happening in the same clip. Its worth watching though because it tells you a lot about her character, and shows how quickly her change in emotion actually is.
I have done some small sketches of Myrtle that represent my first impressions of her. This will help me to develop her character, but also help me when looking at other fine art photography and paintings that have a link with my personal view of her.
Brainstorm drawing of Myrtles character
Now, taking my brainstorm a little to the next level, I have drawn a further image which shows my initial idea of her character as a whole.
My first drawing of Myrtle. I imagine her as she is described, and tried to draw out the main things that caught my attention when I imagine her; lower class, large hips, large eyes, messy hair, fashion that is bright colours and not as elegant as characters such as Daisy. This drawing therefore shows my initial interpritation of her. After researching enough background information relating to her character, I feel like I have got to know Myrtle better and began to connect with her when I start drawing out my ideas of her.
The photograph below is an image by famous photographer Cindy Sherman. She is
well known for her conceptual portraits, often shooting photos of people
in situations we wouldnt see, or wouldnt think were going to make
successful images. She always tells the truth with her photography. She
has often been known for shooting images of women in society, raising a
lot of challenging questions about how women are and should be seen. I think not only the image makes me think of Myrtle, but so does the background behind Sherman's take of women in society - because this is an important factor that Fitzgerald was trying to get across in his novel.
I chose this image as a reference to Myrtles character for many personal preferences, such as the posture, the makeup and hair and the attitude of the model. The body language of the model isn't completely facing you, showing that the woman is guarded and uninviting. She also has an expression that tells me she is shocked, but shy, which I see in Mrytle's character within references to scenes such as
her being hit by Tom and when she says "You can't live forever!". The woman is unattractive, looks quite messy and lower class, but still has the sense of sexual being looking at the type of corset she is wearing and that she is exposing her upper body. However, despite all of this she is very closed off with her body, which makes me think of Myrtle because she is referred to as a woman with a "thickish figure" - therefore embarrassment comes to mind when looking at her posture. The woman is wearing an outfit that clashes with the wallpaper behind her, showing her sense of styling isn't up to scratch, again making me think of Myrtle and her lower class dress sense. The cone-breast part of the woman's top half links with the idea of prostitution, and her face shows she is pouting, which gives off the impression that despite any self-consciousness she is still trying to be sexy.
PONZI, Fabiana, 'Sad, Lonely, Desperate', 2012.
Another strong image that reflects the emotion and mood of Myrtles character. Her, we clearly see a sad woman. She looks desperate, looking directly at you with eyes of pain and sadness. She has clearly been crying, with the marks of mascara stained on her face. She is holding her head in her hand, suggesting agony and her body language suggests that of discomfort. Although I cant see for sure, it would seem that her other arm is across her body, showing she is guarding herself, or protecting herself from something. Her hair and makeup is a mess, clearly stating that she is experiencing something physical (and emotional) at that moment in time. The background is plain, showing the attention all focused on the model. However, her clothing is yellow, which suggests happiness, which could tell us that this women is a happy person, despite the pain she is clearly experiencing now. Her shoulder is bare, giving off provocative connotations, but we can clearly see that she is covered in bruising. Obviously, she has experience some form of an attack. From this, I get the impression that she links to Myrtle with a sense of heartbreak. Maybe she is looking for something that she cant find? Maybe she is in love with the wrong man? Both things that Myrtles character is familiar with.
The above image is by photographer David Lachapelle. The image represents pain, confusion and destruction of love and greed. The set up shows a complete shambles, possibly representing the life style of someone who is desperate for love. The colours are vibrant, making the image attention seeking and drawing you in to the mash up of props. There are various of models, each sitting in strange set ups. For example, there is a baby holding a gun wearing a crown, suggesting to me that its trying to show the idea of destruction and power. There is a man looking like Jesus, with a pained expression on his face and body. The woman looks powerful and independent from the rest of the photos, with seductive perfect skin and sitting in a sultry way - possibly telling us that she represents what destruction is. The rest of the set up looks powerful and rich, with lots of gold and expensive looking things surrounded them. The materials, such as the red silk, showing a rich quality. Destruction is quite clearly represented with the broken wall in the background and the digger demolishing the world outside. As if everything glamorous is becoming destroyed.
Flapper Girl #2, Shirl Theis, Acrylic on Fingerboard
Here we see an image of a flapper girl, women who were famously known in the 1920s. They were lower class women who danced at parties and wore sequined, sexy outfits. They were loved by the rich men for entertainment. The painting shows the sexual side of a flapper girl, with the smokey eyes, the pouted purple lips, the vibrant headpiece and the large hair - but it also shows the innocence of a women who is trying to make her way in the world. The woman has been made to look perfect, which a flapper girl should be - attractive. However, they werent always the standard perfect that we think of, although perfect doesn't exist. Her skin is made to look pure and seductive, her rosey cheeks are seductive and her overall appearance is seductive. The pale purple colours that makes up the whole painting suggests a sense of purity, but not quite. It shows innocence, being a pretty colour, but then condradicts with the speckled coloured background and the bold black hair. The woman isnt looking directly at you either, possibly saying that she is shy, unsure, and uninviting - which is strange when representing a flapper girl because they are suppose to draw you in.
Myrtle is supposed to represent the idea of a flapper girl, which is why I have chosen this image to represent her - (despite in my opinion this painting being too 'pretty').
Here are some other flapper paintings:
Flapper Girl, Pierrot
Flapper Fashion 1920, Clive Henry
The Painted Girl, Unknown Artist
The mixture of flapper girls shown within these different interpretations shows the versatility of Myrtles character. However, after reading the book thoroughly I have my image of her so finding the difference between images is a lot easier.
Film Director: Jack Clayton (1974), Baz Luhrmann (2013)
Book Genre: Modernist Novel, Jazzage, Novel of Manners, Romantic Tragedy
Main Character: Jay Gatsby
Secondary Characters: Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, George Wilson, Nick Carraway, Jordan Baker
Background Characters: Owl Eyes, Dr T.J.Eckleburg
What is the background of this book, why did the autor write it?
Ftzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in order to reveal the hollowness of the rich and social class during the 1920's. He also addressed the 'impossible dream', which many people have been known to live in the past because they never accomplish dreams. He wanted to depict the social and moral values of the 20's. He wanted to express the greed and the empty persuit of pleasure. Although this is what everyone wanted at the time, he found it important to show that these things couldnt and didnt bring anyone happiness.
F.Scott Fitzgerald
My Brief Summary of the Plot:
The Beginning:
The novel is introduced with Nick Carraway as the narrator. He had moved to East Egg to live with his cousin, Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom Buchanan. Nick meets Gatsby, who is known for his lavish parties and his wealth. Nick discovers a lot through everyone, and it is him that tells the story. He knows that Myrtle and Tom are having an affair, that Gatsby is in love with Daisy, and meets Jordan who he is with throughout the majority of the novel. Gatsby and Daisy begin to realise their love for each other and feelings start to be rekindled and reunited, causing the main buil up for the rest of the novel.
The Middle:
Tom become suspicious of Gatsby and Daisy's affair. He tries to prove that Gatsby isn't who he seems. Daisy becomes enraged at Tom's behavior and tells him that she will leave him for Gatsby. However, she finds out the truth about Gatsby and his wealth, discovering he isnt who she though he was. She learns that he has a criminal background and all his money comes from bootlegging, so refuses to leave Tom. Daisy then drives home from the day out upset. She is behind the wheel of Gatsby's car and Gatsby is in the passengers seat. Driving upset and not concentrating, she hits Myrtle and kills her.
The End:
George Wilson finds out about his wife having an affair. He asks around about the car that hit her, and eventually finds out its Gatsby's. (The car is bright yellow and extremely recognizable). When he discovers who the car belongs to, he then thinks that everything was Gatsby's fault, including the affair. He goes to Gatsby's house and shoots him, proceeding then to shoot himself. Only a select few attended Gatsby's funeral, including Nick. Daisy and Tom later move to Chicago and no one is left behind. Fitzgerald's point is proven - no one gets the American Dream.
Describe the Time Period:
The novel was set in 1922 - the era of Roaring Twenties, the post WW1 prosperous time in the United States. The time period had a divide in social and moral class.
Historical, Political and Economical Background:
1922 - An era of class hierarchy. Upper class and lower class had an extremely obvious divide. there was a big divide in NYC, the rich area and the poor area. There was also a strong selection of characters, from rich to poor, mysterious, criminal and outsiders. No one really fit in, but that was the point of the novel.
Describe the Location/Setting/Atmosphere:
There are three main places in the novel. East Egg, which represents the old aristocracy. West Egg, which represents the newly rich, the Valley of Ashes, which represents the social and moral decay and then New York City, where the quest is money.
What is the Moral of the Story:
Fitzgerald wanted the moral of the story to be about dreams. The stroy throughout shows hunger for money and wealth, or love and happiness - a constant quest for what people cant always have. No character in the novel successfully gets what they want. He explained how each character failed to adapt to the life of the Egg, and wanted people to realise that they should be happy with what they have and stop looking for more. Things will come along if they are supposed to, but if you are constantly trying to force things to happen then you will always end up minserable, alone, or dead.
Important Themes of the Novel:
Love, Quest for Success, Justice, Personal Ambitions, Violence, The Past and Failure.
Personal Opinion:
The novel has a lot of interesting themes that are each built up but the characters. There are many symbolic things that are representative to the characters, which helps to build up and learn about them. However, there are some things I am not so keen on such as the simplicity to some of the characters appearance. This is why I have chosen Myrtle, because she seems to have a bit of an edge to her which will be really exciting to pull together for a shoot. She also links the idea of emotional change extremely well, with the drastic change in life and death that her characters experiences. She has a brutal story line like that of the main protagonist, Gatsby. The images could be made contemporary with a link almost to 'chavvy' and 'prostitution' styling and makeup. She almost makes me think of Alex Box's crazy makeup and colour choices (but not so creative) and Path McGraths catwalk that expresses an edgy, urban look, different to the norm. I also get reminded of Vivienne Westwood when I think of her styling, because the colours are clashing and patterned. However, not the idea of it being boyish.
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Character Name: Myrtle Wilson. Character Age: Mid 30's. Voice: Sharp, more common, "impassioned". Posture: "thickest figure", "faintly stout". Walk: "carries herself sensuously", probably heavier footed - larger woman. Distinguishing Marks: large eyes, broken nose at one point from when Tom punched her. Physical Description: not beautiful but still attractive, "continually smouldering". Occupation: Wife of a run down auto shop owner. Interests, Hobbies, Talents: Becoming rich, gossiping. Location: The Valley of Ashes.
Give a detailed description of the Location: The Valley of Ashes is between the rich and the poor areas near NYC. Its a run down, derelict area which is just a strip. It looks unloved and uncared for, described as dusty, smokey and almost Western like. Its associated with the lower working class poor people.
Describe the Styling: Colour clashes, corsets, fishnets. Tries to be upper class but doesnt do it right. Linked with the idea of 1920s actresses and prostitution.
How is your character different from you?
Myrtle is different from me because she doesnt appreciate the things she has. She takes things for granted and acts ungrateful.
How is your character similar to you?
Always looking for a way to better herself and considering how you can make life more exciting. But different intentions as to how!!!
What is the characters relationship with other characters?
In love with Tom. Nick thinks she is odd. Husband is besotted by her. Women differ from her completely, looked down their nose upon her. Similar to Gatsby with the life of tragedy and death, but never managed to succeed to money like Gatsby did.
^ A very helpful video with a description abou Mytle. The video shares a comparison between Myrtle and Daisy, comparing apperance, status, overall charater and dream.
Skip to these times for just the information of Myrtle:
1:16 - Myrtles Apperance
2:08 - Myrtles Status
2:57 - Myrtles Character
4:27 - Myrtles Dream
I have looked at some different Hollywood characters that relate to Myrtle's character. In order to help me do the research, I have worked on a list of traits that Myrtle has and then considered people who relate to the same things.
Traits:
- Desperately looking for love
- Unappreciative of the things she has
- Lower class seeking for Upper class life style
- Not beautiful, but still seen as attractive (easy)
- Bad fashion sense
- Desperate to know the life of the rich (gossip magazines)
- Lives in the poor valley between the rich area
- Difference in class
- Affair with a rich man
The Ugly Step Sisters - Cinderella:
I have suggested these characters because there are some interesting resembalances between them and Myrtle. For example, the sisters are not beautiful, dress badly, want what they cant have and are desperate to better themselves. However, the role reversal of class between Cinderella and the sisters doesnt represent this character. The fact of their apperance, attitude and that they are desperate to be like someone else does.
However, you could almost say that Myrtle is like Cinderella. She isnt beautiful or kind hearted like Cinderella, but she is from the lower class and she is loved by someone who is above her. The resembelance to the step sisters is much more likely though!
The Way We Were (1973):
There story of the film 'The Way We Were' is based upon a couple who are in love but their political views drive them apart. I think this could represent the whole story of The Great Gatsby, with the themes of love, seperation, social disagreements and heirarchys. Myrtle and Tom are not madly in love, in Toms eyes anyway, but they are together behind closed doors. The fact that they are of a different class (and that they are both married) is whats tearing them apart. A bit like this films story line of political views tearing them apart.
Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell (1939):
Scarlett O’Hara, a young woman living in the south during the civil war.
Always the daddy’s girl she soon realizes that in this hard time she
can no longer be served and has to struggle to survive. She has to deal
with confederate soldiers using her house as a headquarters, and life
without service from a group of maids. Deals with her love of a man
engaged to another woman, and the lust of rhett butler after her.
Similar themes to The Great Gatsby such as love, social status, dreams and era.
There are lots of things other than images of Myrtle herself that will help me to understand her character. These are things such as location, era, styling, women of that time and much more. I have researched these things within the text by pulling out some quotes from the novel, but now I am going to generally research imagery that link to these things. These images aren't necessarily from the novel, but are generally represent the things that piece Myrtle's character together.
LOWER CLASS WOMEN OF THE 1920'S
These images show what lower class or working class women of the 20's look like. Myrtle is a lower class woman of this era, so this shows me how Fitzgerald put together the look for his character, and how I can consider putting mine together:
Lower Class Women - 1920's
The above image shows a group of lower class women from the 1920's. As you can see, class was very much determined for women by their dress. Women tried to dress smartly and expensively like the upper class, but never quite managed to do so. Their outfits were mismatched and items were generally just thrown together. You can see then when you look at the way Fitzgerald has described Myrtle's appearance.
Lower Class Women - 1920's.
I think this image portrays the lower class women of the 1920's very well. It shows women who aren't quite dressed right, flirting with a man who looks like he is of a bit of wealth. The women look happy and excited, but also as if they are trying to be upper class focusing on their posture and mannerisms. However, they way they seem very outgoing and confident shows that they are of the lower class, because women of the upper class were much more restricted. They certainly wouldn't be seen sitting on a wooden ledge like this, and they more than likely would have been a lot more covered up.
1920'S LOWER CLASS FASHION:
Immortalized in movies and magazine covers, young women's fashion of the
1920s was both a trend and a social statement, a breaking-off from the
rigid Victorian way of life. These young, rebellious, middle-class women, labeled
‘flappers’ by older generations, did away with the corset and donned
slinky knee-length dresses, which exposed their legs and arms. The
hairstyle of the decade was a chin-length bob, of which there were
several popular variations. Cosmetics, which until the 1920s were not typically accepted in American society because of their association with prostitution became, for the first time, extremely popular.
Reference: Kitch, Carolyn. The Girl on the Magazine Cover. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001. pp. 122-23.
working-class women looked for modern forms of dress as they
transitioned from rural to urban careers. Taking their cue from
wealthier women, working women began wearing less expensive variations
on the day suit, adopting a more modern look that seemed to suit their
new, working class status. Women of the lower class who didn't even really work, like Myrtle, still had to have the same fashion as this. Myrtle's character was a classic example of a 'wannabe' when it came to fashion. She desperately tried to dress like Daisy, but always got it far from correct. She was vulgar two piece colours like pink and red, constantly clashing her outfits and never being successful in what she wore. Here makeup still represented the look of a prostitute, with bright red lip stick and smudged eyes. For what is already perceived to be an ugly character, she didn't help herself when it came to her styling.
Myrtle's style represents her character traits. She is often described as 'vulgar' and thats exactly what her styling portrays. Her mix of colours are bold, probably to make sure she stands out, but instead of making her look beautiful it just draws attention to her lower class background. The fishnet tights she wears and open toe shoes represent the idea of a prostitute, as does her choice for makeup.Makeup wasn't worn before the 20's because it was associated with actresses and prostitution. The relationship between Myrtle and Tom suggest that she is only wanted for sex and that links well with the idea of makeup styling and prostitution around this era. Her outfit is horrendous, but a perfect representation of her character traits.
THE VALLEY OF ASHES:
Throughout the novel, places and settings epitomize the
various aspects of the 1920s American society
that Fitzgerald depicts. East Egg represents the old aristocracy,
West Egg the newly rich, the valley of ashes the moral and social
decay of America, and New York City the uninhibited, amoral quest
for money and pleasure.
The Valley of the Ashes is first introduced in Chapter 2. It's location is between
West Egg and New York City consists of a long stretch of desolate
land created by the dumping of industrial ashes. It represents the
moral and social decay that results from the uninhibited pursuit
of wealth, as the rich indulge themselves with regard for nothing
but their own pleasure. The valley of ashes also symbolizes the
plight of the poor, like George Wilson, who live among the dirty
ashes and lose their vitality as a result. This is where Myrtle is 'stuck'.
From researching the life of women in the 1920's, I have come to some conclusions on the makeup that Myrtle wears. She is known for her black lined eyes, red lipstick and rosey blushered cheeks - nothing that screams 'natural makeup'.
In Victorian times, makeup was associated with prostitution. Considering this time period was just after the Victorian era, it was only just becoming acceptable for women to wear makeup. Myrtle's character is lower class, so she would have been more likely to do so than other characters like Daisy. I relate this to her class, and her character, because she wants to be like the rich. Actresses wore lots of makeup (even though they were linked with the idea of prostitution) and Myrtle is a big reader of the gossip magazines. She would see the makeup these women wear and then copy the looks, thinking she would be seen as wealthy and beautiful like them. However, the fact she copies them as opposed to the real upper class women who wore barely anything shows her character and the fact that despite what she wants to be, she will always have the traits of a tacky, lower class woman.
Here are some face charts I have found that I think represent her makeup:
MAC Face Chart
The idea behind these face charts is to have smouldering black eyes and red lips. This has always been the instant thought of prostitution because it is a sexy look. It shows the idea of glamour, but also the idea of attracting attention and trying to look impressive. However, the way thats its designed in these face charts is probably a lot classier than most peoples original idea for the makeup!
1920's Hair Styles:
The popular 1920's hairstyle was the finger waves. Most women has short hair styled this way, but it could also been seen on women with long hair. For me, this is a style I would associate with the upper class women because they can afford the hairdressers and time to get it done. However, apparently some lower class women did the same. I imagine if Myrtle was to have her hair like this then she would be very much wearing it in a more messy style, with a scarf around some of her hair to keep the hair in place. I dont imagine her to have the nicest of hair, probably very curly and out of control because it would show a messy appearance and the contrast between her and the pristine Daisy.
