Gabriel 1

Olivia Gabriel
Mrs. Weathersbee
AP Language and Composition
9 February 2015
Love and Society
Throughout The Great Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan is often seen as a victim in a
loveless marriage, where she is trapped between being with the man she loves, Jay
Gatsby, or staying with her husband, Tom Buchanan. Popular belief is that Daisys true
love is Gatsby, but she feels forced to stay with Tom because of the time period she is
living in. Contrary to popular belief, Tom and Daisy have quite similar characteristics
and beliefs. Although Tom and Daisy claim to love and desire love, if love meant

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:10 AM

Comment [1]: Feelings that society had
about the upper class and divorce.

sacrificing society or pedigree, they would rather keep their status and forget about love.
Gatsby is also an interesting and important character because of the way that he views
love, which is the opposite of the beliefs and views of people of the era.
The era of the 1920s was known for large parties, wealth, and fun. The Roaring
20s gave Americans hope to live happy and successful lives. Everyones goal became to

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:16 AM

Comment [2]: Gatsby is an intriguing
character because he views love as what it is
and caring about another person rather
than what other people think about it, such
as the people from the era.

live the American Dream. The American Dream was the idea that hard work would
result in social and economic success. To effectively reach the American Dream, high
status and vast wealth must be achieved. Those who werent living the American Dream
were looked at as inferior to those of wealthy backgrounds. There was also a cultural
change in the 1920s. Mass culture evolved, and everyone began wearing the same
clothes, listening to the same music, and used the same language. Some areas of life
became very racy, which a majority of Americans didnt support.

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:25 AM

Comment [3]: using

Gabriel 2
As wealthy citizens became more abundant, there arose a divide between old
money and new money. Old money people were those who inherited their wealth

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:29 AM

Comment [4]: common

and were from a family with a long history of wealthy ancestors. New money people
were those who worked for their money and earned enough to be considered wealthy. As
two groups of wealthy formed, the old money people still believed they were superior to
those that had worked for their money themselves. Although everyone was chasing the
American Dream and had the same interests in mind, those who inherited their money
believed they were superior to those who worked for their money.
Tom Buchanan came from an extremely wealthy family that gave him all of his
money. He didnt have to work for anything, so he became extremely selfish and greedy.
He had Two shining arrogant eyes and the appearance of always leaning aggressively
forward (Fitzgerald 7). Buchanan was an aggressive and arrogant man who felt superior
to all. Tom was also a white supremacist. This helped fuel his feeling of superiority and
little regard for others.
Daisy Buchanan also came from a wealthy family. She was a very attractive
woman to most. Daisy was very selfish and greedy but also very insecure. This insecurity
led to her desire for wealth and social status. Daisy did what she wanted at all times and
was very insincere, including leading Gatsby on and then deciding to stay with Tom,
since he had better social ranking. Most people believe the idea that Daisy is an innocent
victim in a loveless marriage and is stuck because of the time period she lived in.
Arguments are made that women couldnt be held accountable for their actions in the
early 1900s, but a few people argue otherwise. Matthew Bruccoli states, She is much
more culpable than that (Bruccoli, Daisy Fay Buchanan).

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:36 AM

Comment [5]: Daisy did what she wanted
at all times and was very insincere. This is
shown when she leads Gatsby on and
decides to stay with Tom because of his
higher social ranking.
Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:41 AM
Comment [6]: Most people believe that
Daisy does not leave Tom, even though
there is no more love in their marriage,
because of the way she would be viewed
and judged by her peers.

Gabriel 3
Tom and Daisy Buchanan have many similarities in their characters. Both are
selfish, wealthy people who care more about themselves than anyone else. They both care
more about material possessions and status than relationships they have with others. Nick
states, They were careless people, Tom and Daisythey smashed up things and
creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever
it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made
(Fitzgerald 179).
Tom and Daisy Buchanan both came from old money families. They lived in
East Egg, a very wealthy part of Long Island. The East Egg represented the old money
and is represented with white palaces (Fitzgerald 5). They inherited their wealth and
didnt have to work for anything they received. This inherited wealth led to greed and
selfishness. Both Toms and Daisys characters were obsessed with social status and

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:46 AM

Comment [7]: had

pedigree. Not only did they feel superior to those without money, they believed breeding
had a big part in wealth. To both of them, new money citizens still werent considered
to be of high social class. Toms old money attracted Daisy. Since he was a wealthy
man of high status, she fell in love. They both married each other for the name. Both of
their families were of high status, and Tom and Daisy wanted to maintain the name. Tom
began to see Daisy as one of his material possessions and had no regard for others. If he
lost her, it would be like losing a vast amount of wealth such as losing his home. If Daisy
left Tom, she would no longer remain as much of an elite female figure as she was. This
desire for status pushed her to remain with Tom. Tom and Daisy were a wealthy couple,
and neither wanted to destroy their positions.
Gatsby was of new money. For all practical purposes, he was on the same level

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 11:51 AM

Comment [8]: People of old money
believed that breeding was important and
that family was a major factor in wealth and
society. They felt that this made them
superior to those who didnt have money or
werent included in the small circle.

Gabriel 4
as Daisy and Tom because he had achieved the American Dream. Despite the fact he had
an extravagant house, lavish material possessions, and a great deal of money, he didnt
have the social status Tom Buchanan had in Daisys eyes. From the perspective of those
who came from old money, Gatsby wasnt considered elite, because he didnt inherit
his money from his parents. Gatsby worked for what he earned and didnt get everything
handed to him. Gatsby states, Her voice is full of money (Fitzgerald 120). This quote
symbolizes the divide between the old and new money. Gatsby knows Daisy is of old
money and says he can tell by her voice. This being said, Gatsby doesnt have a voice
of money showing he is not from old money.
Gatsby idolized Daisy when he met her because of her social status. Gatsby knew
Daisy cared about wealth and social status because of her family background, so he lied
about his background and family from the beginning of their relationship. Daisy
promised to wait for him and get married when he returned from the war, but Daisy was
married to Tom when he arrived back home. Gatsby knew Daisy married Tom at least
partly because of his social status, so he thought that becoming rich would attract her. He
became obsessed with getting her to love him, so he worked to become wealthy. While
Daisy believed Gatsby was an Oxford man and from a family of high social status, he
seemed of high class and she was willing to leave Tom for him. Rumors spread
constantly about how Gatsby earned his money, and this was a driving force in
preventing her from denying that she loved Tom. The idea that Gatsby wasnt of elite
social status completely turned Daisy away, showing that she cares more about society
and pedigree than love. If Daisy were to leave Tom for Gatsby, she would be with a man
who may have made his money in dirty ways. This would lower her status, and then

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 12:03 PM

Comment [9]: Gatsby knew that Toms
status was a factor in why Daisy decided to
marry him, so he thought that if he created a
status like Toms for himself, Daisy would be
attracted to him.

Gabriel 5
rumors may have spread about her, which would lower her status even more. Although
she may have loved Gatsby as she claimed, it wasnt as important to her as her status.
Tom Buchanan had an affair with Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a car mechanic.
George Wilson, Myrtles husband, is Toms car mechanic. Tom and Myrtle met on a
train to the city when Myrtle was going to visit her sister. Myrtle lived in the Valley of
Ashes and had very little money. Daisy had an affair with Jay Gatsby, who is of new

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 12:09 PM

Comment [10]: Tom Buchanan had an
affair with Myrtle Wilson, George Wilsons
wife. George Wilson was Toms car
mechanic.

money. He lived in a mansion in West Egg. In both cases, the affairs were just for a
distraction from Tom and Daisys everyday lives. They were completely for fun, and
neither had any intention of leaving their husband or wife to be with their lover. Tom and
Daisy had no regard for others. In both affairs, neither one cared that they were using
someones heart and love. Tom and Daisy were only interested in satisfying their
insatiable thirst for a good time.

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 12:13 PM

Comment [11]: cheating and
disregarding their spouse.

To support the views of status and high class of the time, an interesting
comparison can be made. Tom's lover, Myrtle, was not of the high class. Tom would talk
about how he wished to leave with her, but he never meant it. She believed him and
wanted this to happen because of her low status and how she felt her life would change if
she were to be with him. He would tell her his plans of leaving to keep her from wanting
to leave him. All along he knew his status would be ruined if he were to follow through,
but she was completely convinced. This contrast shows the difference between the views
on love and feeling from this time period based on a person's class or lifestyle.
By comparing Tom and Daisys characters, it is seen that they have numerous
parallel character traits. Both Tom and Daisy understand that neither of them wants to be
with each other. But at the same time, both of them understand the consequences of

Olivia Gabriel 5/22/15 12:17 PM

Comment [12]: To support the opinions
about love and status of the time, an
interesting comparison can be made.
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:35 PM
Comment [13]: omit
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:35 PM
Comment [14]: talked
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:38 PM
Comment [15]: Myrtle longed for Tom to
leave Daisy to be with her. She believed
Tom would be an escape from her low
status and would help change her life.
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:41 PM
Comment [16]: Tom shared his plans
with Myrtle to leave Daisy to prevent Myrtle
from leaving him.
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:41 PM
Comment [17]: omit

Gabriel 6
splitting. They don't stay together because of their regard for human feelings or their
concern about other people. The only reason is because they wish to stay "clean" and
highly thought of in society. It is almost ironic because staying with each other with
neither of them happy is a selfish act. They don't care about each other and their feelings;
they care about their own position in society and how they are thought of as individuals.
Even though they want happiness for themselves, they care more about the way they are

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:45 PM

Comment [18]: The situation is ironic
because staying together is selfish. Its not
what makes either of them happy; they are
only staying together for their status.

looked at in society, and this is a reflection of the time period and what was thought of as
important during this era.
There is another key point in the novel, which makes the book even more
complex and interesting. As stated previously, Daisy and Tom are very similar and care
more about status than love. But Jay Gatsby is the opposite. He wants Daisy to be happy
and knows she is happiest with him. Gatsby understands that if she left Tom for him, he
would have to change and act differently, but he is willing to sacrifice that for his
happiness as well as hers. He is putting love above everything else, which was the
opposite of not just Tom and Daisy, but many people in the novel and contrary to the
views and beliefs of that time. Gatsby can be viewed in the novel as somewhat of a "bad

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:52 PM

Comment [19]: Jay Gatsby has opposite
ideals than those of Tom and Daisy
Buchanan.

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 1:55 PM

Comment [20]: Gatsby understood that
he may have to change in many areas of his
life, but he was willing to sacrifice
everything for Daisys happiness.

guy" because of the way he acts, how he makes his money, and his desire to split a
marriage, but in reality he was the one with the best in mind. He was the one who put
love above everything else and although he can be viewed as wrong, he was right in the
sense that love was more important than your status or stigma. Gatsby cares about the
feelings of himself and of Daisy when Daisy and Tom don't care about the feelings of the
people they are having an affair with or each other. They don't even care about their own
feelings because if they did they would make more of an effort to pursue the people that

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 2:02 PM

Comment [21]: Gatsby was the only
character who put love above society.
Although some may believe he was wrong in
his actions, his belief that love was more
important than status and stigma were
positive.
Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 2:04 PM
Comment [22]: Tom and Daisy dont care
about each others feelings, and they
certainly dont care about the feelings of the
people they are having an affair with.
Gatsby, on the other hand, cared immensely
about the feelings of Daisy.

Gabriel 7
they truly care about.
In conclusion, Daisy and Tom are very similar because of their opinions of love
and how it ranks as a priority compared to social status and class. The way that they care
so much about how people look at them and the way in which they are viewed causes
them to forget about their feelings as well as one another's feelings to keep their social

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 2:08 PM

Comment [23]: In conclusion, Daisy and
Tom are very similar characters because
they believed social status outranks love.

status and lifestyle. In comparison, Gatsby is willing to give things up for his true love.
Tom and Daisy conformed to society and the views of the time while Gatsby was trying
to put love before anything else and this novel represents the opinions of the era as well
as the effects of the actions people took during this time.

Olivia Gabriel 5/24/15 2:20 PM

Comment [24]: Tom and Daisy
conformed to the societal norms of that era,
while Gatsby put love as a priority. This
novel aptly represents the frivolity and
morally lacking time period.

Gabriel 8
Works Cited
Bruccoli, Matthew J., and Judith S. Baugman. "Daisy Fay Buchanan." Student's
Encyclopedia of American Literary Characters. New York: Facts On File, Inc.,
2009. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 2 Feb. 2015
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=101204&SID=5&
iPin=SEOALC243&SingleRecord=True.
Donaldson, Scott. "Possessions in The Great Gatsby." The Southern Review (Spring
2001): 187210. Quoted as "Possessions in The Great Gatsby" in Bloom, Harold,
ed. The Great Gatsby, Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations. Philadelphia:
Chelsea House Publishing, 2003. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 21
May 2014
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=101774&SID=5&
iPin=MCITGG012&SingleRecord=True.
Lena, Alberto. "Deceitful Traces of Power: An Analysis of the Decadence of Tom
Buchanan in The Great Gatsby." Canadian Review of American Studies 28, no. 1
(1998): 1941. Quoted as "Deceitful Traces of Power: An Analysis of the
Decadence of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby" in Bloom, Harold, ed. The
Great Gatsby, New Edition, Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations. New York:
Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 2
Feb. 2015
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=101204&SID=5&
iPin=MCIGG003&SingleRecord=True.

Gabriel 9
S, Leland. "Critical Readings: "Herstory" and Daisy Buchanan." Critical Insights: The
Great Gatsby. Salem Press, n.d. Web.
http://web.b.ebscohost.com/lrc/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=998a05ad-8aef-4c98baf62c8f782f1ae0%40sessionmgr111&hid=102&bdata=JnNpdGU9bHJjLWxpdmU%
3d#db=lfh&AN=48218029.
"The Demise of the 1920s American Dream in The Great Gatsby." The Demise of
the 1920s American Dream in The Great Gatsby. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Feb. 2015.
http://www.inforefuge.com/demise-of-american-dream-the-great-gatsby