Examples Of Carelessness In The Great Gatsby

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In the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nick describes Tom and Daisy Buchanan as careless people due to their actions that surface throughout the plot. The two characters carry out many impulsive actions that they do not take accountability for. Daisy hitting Myrtle, Tom punching Myrtle, and both of their relationships outside of their marriage demonstrate their careless nature. The most prominent example of carelessness is seen when Daisy hits and kills Myrtle with Gatsby’s car. In Chapter VIII of the novel, Myrtle runs out in front of the car that Daisy is driving too quickly for her to press the breaks, which ultimately leads to her death. Although Daisy was unaware of Myrtle's relationship with Tom, it is Daisy’s actions …show more content…

As the plot develops, it is revealed that Daisy is also involved in a secret relationship with her past love, Gatsby. Both secret and destructive relationships of the husband and wife demonstrate their carelessness for each other's feelings. When Gatsby confesses his love for Daisy in front of her husband, Tom is quick to say, “Once in a while, I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time..” (Fitzgerald 138). This confession from Tom demonstrates his carelessness for Daisy’s feelings as he has spent many days away from her, violating and breaking their vows, and only when his relationship with her is threatened, is he able to show love for her. Similarly, Daisy behaves in a careless manner as she continues her relationship with Gatsby although she does not truly love him. Even though she may have had love for him once, Daisy will never love Gatsby the way she loves Tom and the lifestyle and freedom she has with him. Daisy lets Gatsby believe that they have a chance to be together, and lets Tom believe she is entirely loyal to him. Both relationships demonstrate how careless Daisy is with others feelings and would rather satisfy herself than own the truth. The continuation of Tom and Daisy Bucannan’s romantic relationships outside of their marriage highlights