Length: 749 words (2.7 pages)
Rating: Red (FREE)      
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Great Gatsby:  Lost Love                   

The novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a tragic love story
of lost love. Gatsby, the main character, based his love for Daisy on a
young girl he met before going off to war. In their time apart, Gatsby
strived  to build the American dream while Daisy enjoyed the riches by those
who adored her. The character Daisy is described by Fitzgerald throughout
the novel as flighty and shallow. It is their difference in character and
devotion that sets them apart. Gatsby eventually realized Daisy could not
measure up to what he had envisioned as his perfect love.

As a young officer, Gatsby was impressed by what Daisy represented, old
money and a life full of luxuries.  He fell deeply in love with the young
Daisy, and vowed to come back to her a wealthy man.  While Gatsby went off
to the war Daisy continued in her artificial life. In Gatsby's case,
distance made his heart grow fonder. It was evident that Gatsby followed
Daisy's activities when he showed her the clippings on their first meeting. 
"Look at this," said Gatsby quickly. "Here is a lot of clippings -about
you."(90) He knew what he needed to do to get Daisy back, even if it meant
making his money by illegal means. Daisy grew tired of pining for her
officer and soon her love was bought by a new suitor, Tom Buchanan, with a
$30,000 pearl necklace.  Money was what Daisy desired.

James Gatz, was a poor farm  boy who saw his life as living in poverty. He
knew he wanted more and worked hard to improve his life. Daisy grew tired of
waiting for him  in their early relationship because other rich officers
pursued her.  When they met again she was impressed with his wealth.  His
dream for a better life gave him a sense of purpose. Daisy's purpose in life
were material comforts and luxuries. Daisy's empty existence and the people
she surrounded herself with was in contrast with Gatsby's dreams, which gave
meaning to his own identity. Nick  shows this when he says to Gatsby,
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "Your worth the whole
damn bunch put together." (146)

Gatsby's obsession for Daisy blinded him of what her true character was.
Gatsby loved the Daisy of the past. Daisy was a very shallow and
materialistic person who was only attracted to the wealth of an individual
which made her life uncomplicated. When Daisy discovered how rich Gatsby
was, she was attracted to him. This is clear when Gatsby first shows her his
huge mansion and the contents within. In the  scene which Gatsby shows her
his expensive shirts, she responds by saying, "Their such beautiful shirts
it makes me sad because I have never seen such beautiful shirts."(pg. 89).

When things start to get complicated after Myrtle's death, Daisy does not
stay with the man she says she loves but goes back to Tom who could keep her
safe and protect her from trouble. Daisy's flaws in her character are
realized by Gatsby  as his life ends alone.

Gatsby's fantasy was played out in a scene near the end.  The short lived
affair with Daisy was ended by the tragic car accident.  Again, Gatsby is
devoted to Daisy by waiting outside her window trying to protect her.  Nick
observes, "He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn't bare to shake
him free.". (141)  He was left again by his true love,  Daisy's real
intentions showing through in her choice in staying with the protectiveness
of Tom.  In the end Gatsby accepted that Daisy would never leave Tom for a
bootlegger and a farmer's son. She had a reputation and a lifestyle to
maintain.

"As I went over to say good-bye I saw that the expression of bewilderment
had come back to Gatsby's face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him
of his present happiness.  Almost five years!  There must have been moments
even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams - not through her
own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion." (92) 
Gatsby's expectations of the young eighteen year old girl fell short of what
he had dreamed.  Their different social backgrounds and focus on reality
kept them from grasping their dream of true love.  Gatsby's devotion was
admirable but in the end Daisy's abandonment was what killed him inside, not
the bullet from Wilson's gun.