Examples Of Unrequited Love In The Great Gatsby

In the book “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that some of the characters are going through difficult times with their significant other. Jay Gatsby has this sort of romance with Daisy Buchanan and so does Myrtle and Tom. Unrequited love is introduced as the kind of love that won’t be returned back by the person that you love, although it is desired. However, some partners decide to stay because although their lover does not treat them the way they desire they are at least able to provide for others need. The article in “Psychology Today” by F. Diana Barth explains what unrequited love does to it's sufferers such as rejection, regret, and acceptance which explains what the characters in the book are going through.

In the book

Tom is married to Daisy Buchanan and the only reason why they have not divorced is because, Daisy is a catholic and “catholics do not believe in divorce”(37). However, Myrtle is married as well to George Wilson, which she is not happy to be with and is having an affair with Tom. The only difference is that Tom has always had an affair with multiple women which shows that he may not even be taking Myrtle as serious as she is towards him. For example, according to the story, “ Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy’s name. Myrtle shouts, Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy!” (41). During that night Myrtle had a bit too much to drink so it is understandable that she is going to let out her feelings. However, the outcome of her shouting at Tom did not make it any better and so Tom makes a fist and punches Myrtle which led her to having a broken nose. The article “Psychology Today” mentions that

Once Gatsby returns home he comes to find out that Daisy Buchanan married Tom. However, Tom eventually discovers the affair between Gatsby and his wife and convinces her to return to him even though he himself is having an affair with Myrtle. Daisy married Tom because she knows that he is able to provide for her and although, Gatsby is richer than Tom she wants to forget about the past between her and Gatsby. In the book 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"(141). Although, Daisy said this I do not think she has any regret towards Gatsby but the fact that time has pass and certain decisions were made and the only thing that is left is to accept everything that has happened. The article states, “unrequited love hurts the person who is loved as well as the one who is doing the loving”. Daisy might be realizing that she hurt Gatsby along the way and even though she has made decisions that have changed who she is, she cannot deny the fact that she still loves Gatsby. Daisy also starts to think about Gatsby when she is near his shirts and she says, "They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. "It makes me sad because I've never seen such, such