What techniques does Fitzgerald use to introduce tension between Tom and Daisy?<\/p>\n
Tom and Daisy Buchanan are introduced in such a way as to emphasise their elite status in society, both individually and as a married couple. They both come from wealthy, established families, and on the surface, they appear to be well matched. The perceptive narrator notes, however that they \u201cdrifted here and there unrestfully\u201d (Fitzgerald, 2001, p. 6), ultimately remaining unsatisfied with their marriage, despite a year-long visit to France, and frequent outings for tennis, golf, jazz, and other expensive pursuits. This evident tension in their lives is further increased by Tom\u2019s frequent infidelities and Daisy\u2019s obvious attraction to Gatsby. The theme of adulterous love highlights the inherent instability that comes with a marriage of convenience, since it is designed mainly to preserve the social status of the two individuals, and does not represent a loving union.
\nAnother layer of tension between Tom and Daisy can be seen in the way that Tom is demonised, and Daisy is idolised, at least in the first half of the book. Tom is described negatively as \u201ca brute, a great, big hulking specimen\u201d (Fitzgerald, 2001, p. 10) by Daisy. He is labelled \u201cthe polo player\u201d (p. 67), by Gatsby, presumably in a dismissive way, highlighting Tom\u2019s lack of intellectual sophistication. Daisy and her daughter Jordan, however, are depicted positively, as \u201csilver idols weighing down their own white dresses\u201d (Fitzgerald, 2001, p. 73). Tom\u2019s sexual promiscuity is contrasted with what Gatsby perceives as Daisy\u2019s innocence and purity. The reader may see things rather differently, especially as Daisy\u2019s callousness is revealed towards the end of the book, but for most of the narrative, the author creates tension through this polarisation in the way the two Buchanan characters are described.<\/p>\n
Fitzgerald, F. S. (2001) [1925] The Great Gatsby. London: Wordsworth editions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Question What techniques does Fitzgerald use to introduce tension between Tom and Daisy? Answer Tom and Daisy Buchanan are introduced in such a way as to emphasise their elite status in society, both individually and as a married couple. They both come from wealthy, established families, and on the surface, they appear to be well …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n