Examples Of Daisy In The Great Gatsby

Considering a country’s name includes “United” States, seems ironic the country is more divided and selfish than it likes to admit. In 2013 a Stanford study was conducted, psychologists put white and Asian Americans through three experiments. The three tasks given were a mental, psychical, and an opinion based activity. In the first and second study, the Stanford students were less motivated and persistent in trying when advised to work together. In the last experiment the students were asked for input on a new class to promote environmental sustainability. When the course was described to focus on interdependence “white American students predicted they would put less effort into the course and were less likely to agree that taking the course

Throughout The Great Gatsby, Daisy is portrayed as a victim of infidelity and a confused girl who married the wrong man. However, her character plays a part in the selfishness of the American Dream as well. Fitzgerald subtly displays the materialistic side of Daisy Buchanan, as well as her clear disregard for those who do so much for her. Despite her inherited wealth, Daisy seems to still be drawn toward having more--and that is what the American Dream is all about. When she goes over to Gatsby’s house she is amazed by the size and luxury of it, and when she is bombarded with Gatsby’s colorful shirts she begins to cry. As Daisy cries she says, “They’re such beautiful shirts...It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such--such beautiful shirts before” (Fitzgerald 92). The underlying reason for her tears being her desire to be with the man she truly loved who also happened to be richer than her husband. Daisy realized she could have had it all if she had married Gatsby. Aside from that, her inconsiderate and thoughtless persona really shines through when she does not present her existence after Gatsby’s death. Daisy not only toyed with Gatsby’s emotions, did not call him after the confrontation, but she disregarded his death. “They were careless people...they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money” (Fitzgerald 179). The American Dream molds people into money

Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, was of course chosen from one of the lowest classes in order for Tom do do as he pleases. In the book, Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose for mentioning Daisy’s name (Fitzgerald 37). Due to his social status, much above Myrtle’s, he seems to feel entitled to treat her less than a woman. Not only that, but his feeling of entitlement plays a role in his confrontation with Gatsby. Tom holds little to no shame when feeling as if he deserved Daisy’s love saying, “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 131). These traits of privilege are more of a result from the American Dream’s creation of avarice. Gaining material wealth pushes people to become spoiled or indulgent, never seeing the harm in their actions, and always wanting more than they