Examples Of Daisy In The Great Gatsby

When the idea of the 1920’s comes up the first thought is “the roaring twenties” with parties, wealth, and dancing. Often the issues of the time are forgotten. However, The Great Gatsby stands as a window into the social system of the 1920’s. With references to racism and prohibition, Fitzgerald created a story that gives a sense of society at this time. However, the most evident issue is the sexism often portrayed. This affects all of the women in this novel, but Daisy Buchanan is the most drastically impacted. Through the duration of this novel Daisy is shown as ignorant, attractive and happy. However, there is much more to her personality.
Daisy is often thought of as foolish or naïve but she is very wise. She pretends to be foolish because

In the beginning, at the dinner party, she is on the veranda with Nick, as Tom is on the phone with his mistress. She says, “‘Well, I’ve had a very bad time, Nick, and I’m pretty cynical about everything’ “(16). In this she is attempting to show how she feels to Nick and he “returns rather feebly to the subject of her daughter” (16) instead of listening to her problems. Alternatively, in the end, when they are all in the hotel room in New York City, she is unhappy when she is forced to choose between Gatsby, the man she loves, and Tom, the man she shares her whole life with. This can be seen when Fitzgerald writes, “’ even alone I can’t say I never loved Tom,’ she admitted in a pitiful voice. ‘It wouldn’t be true’ ‘of course it wouldn’t,’ agreed Tom. She turned to her husband ‘As if it mattered to you’” (133). No matter what choice she makes no one will be content with the decision, especially her. Although life with Gatsby would be more enjoyable, she knows that if she made this choice she would lose everything including her daughter. Therefore her decision, however unfortunate, is glaringly obvious. This supports the understanding that Daisy’s misery has grown now that she has to make an impossible choice and can no longer hide her misery. This misery has shown itself through her pessimism in chapter one, and her overwhelming emotions over Gatsby’s shirts in chapter five. These are moments when she could not maintain her façade. This trait has changed throughout the novel because it has consumed her whole life and the people in it. Everyone in her circle now has gained some of her