Examples Of External Conflict In The Great Gatsby

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby many characters experience both internal and external conflict thorughtout the story. The protaganist, Jay Gatsby, tries to obtain the unobtainable wich causes both internal and external conflict. These conflicts drive and motivate into doing the things that he does to try and get Daisy. The conflict that Gatsby experinces can be seperated into internal and external and shape his actions throughout the book. Gatsby struggles with going after things that are unobtainable. He wants Daisy but she was stolen by Tom while he was away in the War. Five years of his life was spent changing himself to become the man that Daisy would want. He changed eveything about himself including his name "He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career"(125), as well as his behavior and the way he dressed. He did not realize that he would never get Daisy regardles of what he did for her. Gatsby has

This presents a problem to Gatsby because the woman he loves is currently with another man and he must seperate them if he wishes to be with her. This causes animosity between Gatsby and Tom in that Tom feels that the "latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife"(222). Tom is outraged that Gatsby, somone he has never heard of before, is making a move on his wife. In Gatsby's mind, he is trying to get what is rightfully his. Daisy's struggle between the two of them is a big problem for Gatsby demonstrated when Daisy says "Oh, you want too much!' she cried to Gatsby. 'I love you now – isn't that enough? I can't help what's past.' She began to sob helplessly. 'I did love him once – but I loved you too."(261). Daisy will never leave Tom because she is concerened with her social standing. Gatsby does not realize this and it is the source of all his external