The Desires of the Great Gatstby Over the past 90 years, life in the United States has changed. Countless innovations have changed the American life. Although, the way people think has not been transfigured as much as likely believed. Some people of past and present generations have the same underlying motive to live their life. Some people will do almost anything in order to get what they truly want. This concept is demonstrated throughout The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book is set during the 1920s in New York at midst the corrupt American lifestyle. A portion of the characters work to achieve one common goal, get what they truly want. Quotes by the characters show this fundamental motive in their lives. As the book title suggests, one of the main characters is the wealthy Jay Gatsby. Gatsby rose to great wealth after leaving the impoverished life during his early years in North Dakota. He built his fortune largely by taking part in organized crime and under the table deals. Gatsby has one goal in his life that he desperately wants. He wants to win Daisy’s love. Gatsby fell in love with Daisy in Louisville before he left to World War I. Daisy vowed to wait for Gatsby, but instead married Tom Buchanan. Gatsby, now close to thirty, wants to get Daisy back. Ever since Gatsby met Daisy, all Gatsby ever wanted was to win her love. Gatsby makes his love apparent to Daisy when Gatsby takes Daisy to his house for the first time. Throughout the years Gatsby collected pictures of Daisy because he could not stand being away from her. Gatsby says this to Daisy while showing all the pictures to her, “Look at this,” said Gatsby quickly. “Here’s a lot of clippings-about you.” (Page 93) Through this quote readers find he true love for Daisy. As the novel advances, Gatsby endlessly works to win Daisy’s love. His constant pursuit has not been effective to win Daisy. As a result he takes things one-step further by trying to manipulate Daisy’s mind. When at the hotel on that hot day, Gatsby practically tells Daisy that she never has loved anybody but himself. Gatsby says to Tom directly, “Your wife doesn’t love you,” said Gatsby. “She never loved you. She loves me.” (Pg. 130) Gatsby also shows a more sensitive side for Daisy. He is willing to cover up the fact that Daisy killed Myrtle Wilson. Instead of Daisy taking the blame, he is willing to put himself on the line. Gatsby tells Nick, “Yes,” he said after a moment, “but of course I’ll say I was…” (Page 143) Throughout the book, Gatsby proves he wants to win Daisy’s love and will do almost anything to attain this endeavor. Ironically the person that stands in the way of Gatsby accomplishing his dream is Daisy herself.
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Daisy Buchanan is Nick’s cousin. She fell in love with Gatsby she was eighteen. She loved him very much. After the two met, Gatsby was fighting in World War I. During that time, she fell in love with Tom Buchanan. To add some insight of Daisy’s decision to marry Tom, Jordan describes the night before she married Tom. Daisy said she had changed her mind about marrying Tom. To Daisy’s dismay she received a letter from Gatsby. Through the letter, Gatsby tells Daisy he cannot marry her because of finances. Daisy is saddened by this, but marries Tom anyway. Daisy made this decision based upon what she truly wanted. Daisy has a deep desire to be wealthy and to be loved. She didn’t want to wait for Gatsby when she could have access to both of those things by marrying Tom. When Gatsby invites Daisy over to his mansion for the first time, she makes this comment about his house, “That huge place there?” she cried pointing (Page 90). At Gatsby’s house later, Gatsby shows Daisy some of his fancy clothes. She say this, “They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such- such beautiful shirts before.” (Page 92) Through these quotes, Daisy is more interested in Gatsby’s wealth and possessions than Gatsby’s love for
Daisy Buchanan is Nick’s cousin. She fell in love with Gatsby she was eighteen. She loved him very much. After the two met, Gatsby was fighting in World War I. During that time, she fell in love with Tom Buchanan. To add some insight of Daisy’s decision to marry Tom, Jordan describes the night before she married Tom. Daisy said she had changed her mind about marrying Tom. To Daisy’s dismay she received a letter from Gatsby. Through the letter, Gatsby tells Daisy he cannot marry her because of finances. Daisy is saddened by this, but marries Tom anyway. Daisy made this decision based upon what she truly wanted. Daisy has a deep desire to be wealthy and to be loved. She didn’t want to wait for Gatsby when she could have access to both of those things by marrying Tom. When Gatsby invites Daisy over to his mansion for the first time, she makes this comment about his house, “That huge place there?” she cried pointing (Page 90). At Gatsby’s house later, Gatsby shows Daisy some of his fancy clothes. She say this, “They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such- such beautiful shirts before.” (Page 92) Through these quotes, Daisy is more interested in Gatsby’s wealth and possessions than Gatsby’s love for