Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Chapter 7!!!
Chapter 7 is full of events, leaving us with a lot to process. First, analyze the characters involved in the love triangle - Tom, Daisy and Gatsby. How have Tom and Gatsby evolved/changed in this chapter? Also, what have we learned about Daisy's level of commitment and character? (In terms of the love triangle.) These questions lead to the relationships and love in the novel. Specifically look at the car crash scene - what kind of effects will the car crash have on Tom and Daisy's relationship? Also, which love do you think is stronger? (Daisy and Tom or Daisy and Gatsby.) Do you think Tom is upset about Daisy and Gatsby's love because he isn't used to "losing" or he truly loves Daisy? You obviously don't have to address all the questions, but hopefully they will help focus the discussion.
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Kate questions many aspects of the characters. The first question that struck me was "Also, what have we learned about Daisy's level of commitment and character?"(Kate). When Gatsby declares to Tom, "Your wife doesn't love you... she's never loved you. She loves me"(130). Daisy is quick to day that she has indeed never loved Tom, but she said it "with perceptible reluctance"(132). Daisy's commitment level to Tom is stronger then Gatsby expects and he is bothered and insecure when she exclaims, "Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom"(133). In this moment I think she appreciates the sweet memories she has shared with Tom and doesn't think of him as a total mistake and disappointing husband. As a reader you realize that she cannot leave Tom comfortably because on some level she feels connected to Tom.
ReplyDeleteThe second question that stood out to me addressed by Kate was, "Also, which love do you think is stronger?(Daisy and Tom or Daisy and Gatsby)"(Kate). Both relationships are tied together in different ways. Tom and Daisy share five years, they are bond together by law and they really know each other. Whereas, Gatsby and Daisy have loved one another for two years and share truelove and desire for one another. Because of their love, I feel Daisy and Gatsby share a stronger love.
Lastly, when Kate asked, "Do you think Tom is upset about Daisy and Gatsby's love because he isn't used to 'losing' or he truly loves Daisy?"(Kate). Tom hates the fact or the possibility that Daisy won't always be there for him and that he could lose her. He dislikes the fact that he can't do whatever he pleases and still get to return home to Daisy. I think Tom is more upset because he actually loves Daisy which is shown when he says, "She does, though. The trouble is that sometimes she gets foolish ideas in her head and doesn't know what she's doing... And what's more I love Daisy too. 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"(131).
I agree with Emily that Tom "actually loves Daisy". At the McKees' party, Catherine reveals that Tom refuses to divorce Daisy because "she's a Catholic". However, "Daisy was not a Catholic"; "the elaborateness of the lie" proves that Tom loves Daisy (38). In contrast, Tom does not show affection towards Daisy until he loses her. For example, in the first chapter, Tom left his dinner gathering to talk to "some woman in New York", proving that he had little to no sympathy to Daisy's emotions (19). However, after Daisy admitted that she loved Gatsby, Tom passionately asserts that he "loves Daisy too"; despite the "sprees" of women that he entertains, he "always [comes] back, and in [his] heart [he] loved her all the time" (138). Therefore, I think that Tom truly loves Daisy.
ReplyDeleteGatsby's love for Daisy greatly opposes Tom's love for Daisy. As Emily said, Gatsby and Daisy shared true love and desire for each other. However, the amorous feelings between them occurred in the past. Presently, to be satisfied, Gatsby tries to "repeat the past" and recreate the elevated image of Daisy that he created (116). For example, Gatsby prompts Daisy to admit that she never loved Tom although "it wouldn't be true" (140). Unlike Tom, Gatsby does not let anything interfere with his love for Daisy; in her emotional distress, he allows her to drive home. While driving, Daisy killed Myrtle Wilson; Gatsby did not make a great effort to stop her from continuing on her drive.
Although Gatsby and Tom love Daisy very differently, I agree with Emily that Gatsby and Daisy have the stronger love.
You both agreed that Daisy and Gatsby share a stronger love, but have you ever considered whether Daisy's and Gatsby's love was just an unattainable dream and not very true at all?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Alice, I think Daisy and Gatsby are in love with what they used to have. However, what they share now is simply infatuation. Whereas, Daisy and Tom, who may not share as much passion as Daisy does with Gatsby, share a love that is more realistic. Nick points out the first night that Daisy and Gatsby meet up, that "the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby's face, as though a faint doubt had occured to him as to the quality of his present happiness. Almost five years! There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy stumbled short of his dreams"(101). Although this may just be an assumption Nick makes about the dissapointment Gatsby has towards his relationship with Daisy, Gatsby gives us reason to think that he is not truly in love with Daisy when Daisy and Tom have guests over for a luncheon. Gatsby's quickness to declare that "She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me!"(137) to Tom (talking about Daisy) portrays him as selfish in regards to his relationship with Daisy. If Gatsby truly loved Daisy he would have waited until Daisy was ready to have that conversation with Tom, even if it was inconvenient for himself to wait. Also, Daisy points out later that not all of what Gatsby said was true when she says "Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom"(133). In addition, if it is true that Daisy originally did not marry Gatsby because he was poor, that makes me question if she is in love with Gatsby or his money. In regards to how Tom feels about Daisy, even though he has cheated on her I still think he truly loves her. Lexi brought up a good point that "At the McKees' party, Catherine reveals that Tom refuses to divorce Daisy because 'she's a Catholic'. However, 'Daisy was not a Catholic'; "the elaborateness of the lie" proves that Tom loves Daisy (38)"(Lexi). We also see genuine caring for Daisy when Tom says "you too start on home, Daisy-In Mr Gatsby's car"(142). Toms consideration for what Daisy wants, even if it is something he most likely does not feel comfortable with, demonstrates his true love for her.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I didn't start my homework until late tonight and I totally forgot to blog! Here's my response anyway.
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter seven, we are introduced, for the first time, into the depth of Tom as a character, with human emotions, including his anger and jealousy of Gatsby's relationship with Daisy. Viewing him in this vulnerable position for the first time as readers, and being exposed more to Nick's own perspective on the events transpiring, Tom seems to, unexpectedly, become more sensitive, concerned, and loving. However, his sensitivity (as several of you mentioned before in support of his relationship with Daisy) is less of an insight into his humanity than his anger. Any unexpected occurrence could put someone into a vulnerable situation, but Tom's rage may point towards his true feelings towards Daisy. When he tells Gatsby, "'You must be crazy!'' (137), he has entirely forgotten about Myrtle. These inconsistencies of emotion are more human than perhaps more moral and ideal relationships would be. I think Tom's humanity, and his feelings towards Daisy, while their relationship is not ideal, it is real and tangible. This idea can respond to Alice's follow up question, as Tom and Daisy's realistic, tangible relationship can contrast with Gatsby and Daisy's "unattainable dream" (Alice).
Then, we would have to determine the worth between an imperfect, but tangible, constant relationship, or a dream-like relationship that may not last.