Responsibility In The Great Gatsby

Nico Colonnello

US Literature - 2

Mrs. Stinehour

February 13, 2023

Assessing the Role of Responsibility Imagine holding the responsibility for the death of an individual. How can this responsibility be determined, through legal operations, personal morals, or the opinion of others? F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a 1920’s novel narrated by Nick Carraway, following his time in New York City and Long Island. In the novel, Nick’s neighbor, Jay Gatsby is murdered by George Wilson. Gerorge acts in revenge for the death of Myrtle, his wife. Myrtle Wilson is a mistress of Tom’s who had affairs hidden from their partners. Although Mr. Wilson committed the crime, Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are responsible for Jay Gatsby’s death. In The

Tom is also responsible for Jay Gatsby's death due to the lies he told to Mr. Wilson informing him of Gatsby’s responsibility in his wife's death. Although Mr. Wilson is legally responsible for the death of Jay Gatsby, Gatsby himself is morally responsible for his own death. This is due to Gatsby living in the past in hopes of rekindling his relationship with Daisy. Gatsby addresses Tom and Daisy Buchanan during a vehement argument, “And what’s more I love Daisy. 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). Gatsby is expressing his love for Daisy, saying although he may have felt a connection with others, Daisy was always his true love. Gatsby is

Tom is upset with Gatsby following their conversation concerning Daisy and whom she loves. George Wilson questions Tom with regards to the death of his wife, “That yellow car I was driving this afternoon wasn’t mine -- do you hear? I haven’t seen it all afternoon” (Fitzgerald 140). Tom reassures George that he does not own the yellow car responsible for the death of Myrtle. This leads George to assume that Gatsby was the owner and driver of the car. This proves that Tom is responsible for Gatsby's death as he indirectly blames Gatsby. Tom was fully capable of saying he was unsure of the owner of this vehicle. With Tom’s displayed uncertainty of the driver, George would have no leads as to who was responsible for the death of his wife. Leading to George unsuspecting Gatsby of the crime and in turn sparing Gatsby's life. Nick visits Gatsby in his house where Gatsby recalls the events of Myrtle's death, “It all happened in a minute, but it seemed to me that she wanted to speak to us, thought we where somebody she knew” (Fitzgerald 143). Myrtle and Tom have an affair kept secret from their respective husband and wives. As Tom was driving towards New York City, departing from his residence and passing through the Valley of Ashes, Myrtle observes his passing and notices Jordan Baker. Myrtle assumes that Jordan is another mistress of Tom and feels curious as well as jealous. Myrtle waits