The Great Gatsby Questions: What kind of people are Tom and Daisy? What do they
ID: 3470768 • Letter: T
Question
The Great Gatsby Questions:
What kind of people are Tom and Daisy? What do they represent?
Why is Gatsby different from them - why does he, in Nick's words, "turn out alright in the end"?
How might we read this novel as a critique of excessive materialism in America by the 1920s?
What is the significance of The Valley of Ashes?
What groteseque scenes (scenes that make us uncomfortable and want to turn away) can you identify and what is the impact of these scenes?
What is the significance of the meeting of the rich with the poor in the novel?
What kind of people are Tom and Daisy? What do they represent?
Why is Gatsby different from them - why does he, in Nick's words, "turn out alright in the end"?
How might we read this novel as a critique of excessive materialism in America by the 1920s?
Explanation / Answer
Tom and Daisy Buchanan were married in 1919, three years before the start of the novel. They both come from incredibly wealthy families, and live on fashionable East Egg, marking them as members of the “old money” class. Daisy and Tom Buchanan are "careless people" because they are insensitive and thoughtless. Tom physically abuses Myrtle Wilson by striking her in the face and leads her to believe he would marry her if his wife weren't Catholic, which is a lie. He misleads Tom Wilson by implying that Myrtle was Gatsby's mistress and that Gatsby was responsible for her death. Thus Tom gets Gatsby killed, but Daisy is the one who was driving the car that struck Myrtle. Daisy, of course, never admits her guilt. Daisy enjoys flirting with Gatsby, but when problems arise, she hides behind Tom. Somehow she doesn't foresee the confrontation that takes place between Tom and Gatsby in the hotel room, perhaps because she hasn't been taking Gatsby's attention seriously. This couple tends to run away from difficulties, mostly because they have the money to do so and they have little sense of obligation to others. According to Nick, they "smashed up other people's lives" and left the wreckage behind for someone else to clean up, someone like Nick, who does have a sense of integrity and honor. Due to time limit,remaining questions can be asked as another question,they will be answered,thankyou for your cooperation
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