Examples Of Daisy's Infidelity In The Great Gatsby

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Love and desire, manifested in attempts to recreate the past, exemplify a central theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby." The primary setting of the novel, Long Island in New York, portrays the immense wealth and prosperity of the 1920s. However, this era was not solely characterized by joyous celebrations; it also had a dark side of infidelity, with individuals engaging in extramarital affairs. Divorce is frowned upon by families and society at large. Tensions between couples increased and such circumstances often led to rivalries between spouses and their lovers. While Daisy's infidelity contributes to Gatsby's demise, it is ultimately Gatsby himself who escalates the situation by provoking a confrontation between Tom and …show more content…

After years apart, Daisy and Gatsby reconnect at Nick’s house for tea. Gatsby casually mentions to Nick that Daisy “comes [to his house] quite often” to spend time with him (Fitzgerald 87). Daisy's decision to continue seeing Gatsby puts her marriage in jeopardy. When Tom discovers his wife's infidelity, he becomes enraged, setting off a chain of events that ultimately results in Gatsby's death. If Daisy had not chosen to pursue her love and desires through an extramarital affair, the tragic consequences that happened upon Gatsby might have been avoided, and he might have escaped death. Gatsby is ultimately responsible for his death, having instigated a fight between Tom and Daisy and gone to great lengths to protect her. However, Daisy also shares blame for the tragedy due to her affair with Gatsby. While in New York City, Tom learned of the affair, leading to his outrage and subsequent actions against Gatsby, which ultimately contributed to Gatsby's death. If Gatsby had remained silent, he might have avoided this fate. Furthermore, if he had not falsely taken responsibility for Myrtle's death to protect Daisy, he might have avoided facing the repercussions of being seen as a murderer. Lastly, Daisy's desire to cling to the past and her continued affair with Gatsby also played a role. If she had not persisted in visiting Gatsby's house and cheating on her husband, Gatsby's death might have been prevented. Love, while powerful, can be a dangerous thing, especially when it leads to hurt, harm, and destruction. It is important to move forward in life rather than being fixated on the