George Wilson mistakenly concludes that Jay Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death, though he does not believe Gatsby was Myrtle's lover. This erroneous belief is primarily due to Tom Buchanan's intentional manipulation and misleading information, rather than Wilson believing Gatsby to be Myrtle's paramour.
Wilson's grief and desperation after Myrtle's tragic death lead him to seek vengeance against the individual he believes was driving the car that killed her. His reasoning is a tragically flawed chain of events orchestrated by Tom:
The Deceptive Chain of Events
Wilson's conclusion stems from specific instances where Tom Buchanan deliberately misled him:
- Prior Visit to the Garage: Earlier in the day of Myrtle's death, Tom Buchanan drove Gatsby's distinctive yellow car when he stopped by Wilson's garage. This established a false association in Wilson's mind, leading him to believe the car belonged to Tom.
- Tom's Misdirection After the Accident: Following the hit-and-run, Tom intentionally allowed Wilson to believe that the yellow car involved in the accident was Gatsby's, and that Gatsby was the driver. By subtly pointing suspicion towards Gatsby, Tom diverted blame from himself and Daisy.
This sequence of events convinced Wilson that the owner of the yellow car, whom he mistakenly believed to be Gatsby, was the person responsible for Myrtle's death. Wilson's primary motive was to find the driver of the car that killed his wife, and through Tom's deceit, Gatsby became his target. He was consumed by the idea that whoever drove the car was directly responsible for his profound loss.
Wilson's Grief and Motivations
Wilson's grief was compounded by his recent discovery of Myrtle's infidelity, intensifying his desire for retribution. While he knew Myrtle had a lover (Tom Buchanan), he did not connect Gatsby to this role. Instead, his focus shifted to identifying the driver of the car, believing that this individual held the ultimate responsibility for her demise.
| Aspect of Wilson's Belief | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Gatsby's Role | Wilson believes Gatsby killed Myrtle, not as her lover, but as the driver of the car that struck her. This conviction is based on Tom Buchanan's misleading statements and actions regarding Gatsby's distinctive yellow vehicle. |
| Source of Misinformation | Tom Buchanan intentionally guides Wilson's suspicions towards Gatsby. Tom had been driving Gatsby's yellow car earlier, which set the stage for Wilson to associate the car with Tom, and then later with Gatsby through Tom's redirection. |
| Wilson's Motivation | Driven by overwhelming grief and a desire for vengeance for his wife's death, Wilson seeks to confront the person he believes is responsible. His mind, clouded by sorrow, is easily manipulated into believing that the owner of the yellow car (Gatsby) is the culprit, rather than Myrtle's actual lover. |
In essence, Wilson's conclusion about Gatsby's culpability was a tragic misdirection. He believed Gatsby was the killer because Tom had expertly planted the idea that Gatsby was the driver of the fatal car, exploiting Wilson's vulnerable state and grief-fueled desire for justice.
