II. Introduction Class and the American Dream play significant roles throughout The Great Gatsby. For it is interwoven through each character's interactions with each other. There are two major themes shown throughout the book. Daisy Buchanan, wife to Tom Buchanan, represents both themes in the book. According to literary critics Brian M. Barbour and Barbara Hochman as well as the novel itself, Daisy’s characterization, specifically through descriptions of her voice and her relationship with her husband, is used to explore the theme of class and the American dream in The Great Gatsby. III. Primary Source Analysis Tom and Daisy’s recklessness reflects the destructive pattern in which they damage others' lives and possessions while they …show more content…
The instant her voice broke off, ceasing to compel my attention, my belief, I felt the basic insincerity of what she had said. It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me. I waited, and sure enough, for a moment she looked at me with an absolute smirk on her lovely face as if she had asserted her membership in a rather distinguished secret society to which she and Tom belonged. Fitzgerald 17. This quote demonstrates the feelings the listener feels after hearing her voice. They feel tricked and that it was all to show her superiority over them. Listeners are also left feeling vulnerable and exposed when listening to Daisy’s …show more content…
“Their debased feelings – their infantilism- have the most serious consequences for human life; but the material wealth which validates the moral complacency also makes thinking about ends and consequences unnecessary” (Barbour 68) The Buchanan's reckless behavior reveals their lack of empathy for those who suffer from the consequences of their actions. In the end, their actions lead to tragedy, which shows the consequences of their lack of consideration for those who will be