Similarities Between Ethan Frome And The Great Gatsby

Can a smile on the outside conceal the turmoil of an unhappy marriage within?". Characters like Ethan Frome in Edith Wharton's novel Ethan Frome and Daisy Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby provides compelling examples of the unhappiness that can pervade marital relationships. Marriages may seem happy, but this is not the case in reality.
Daisy Buchanan experiences internal conflicts between her personal desires of happiness and societal expectations. Daisy is unhappy in her marriage with her husband, Tom Buchanan. Daisy states, "I did love him once—but I loved you too." (Fitzgerald 102). Daisy shares her lack of love for Tom by confessing her dissatisfaction with their relationship. She projected this towards Jay Gatsby because Daisy has been pursuing him while she is supposed to be with Tom. Daisy also admits, "I'm glad it's a “girl. And I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." (Fitzgerald 16). Daisy hopes her daughter, Poppy, will not get hurt like she has from a man. She hopes her daughter is oblivious to the surrounding men because she believes that’s the

The author states, “Ethan looked at her with loathing. She was no longer the listless creature who had lived at his side in a state of sullen self-absorption, but a mysterious alien presence, an evil energy secreted from the long years of silent brooding.” (Wharton 9). Ethan has intense feelings of repulsiveness for his own wife, Zeena. Like Daisy Buchanan, there is an extreme disconnect within their marriages. Ethan was describing his love when he stated, “Ethan stood looking at her, his heart in his throat. He wanted to say: “We shall never be alone again like this.” (Wharton Ch.6 2). Ethan has a deep affection towards Mattie and her presence is his idea of joy and he’s nervous. Unlike Daisy, Ethan can clearly know who and what he