Updated 30 September, 2024
Answer:
In the Great Gatsby, Daisy vowed to wait for Gatsby, but after the war, she was tired of waiting for him. So in 1919 she decided rather to marry Tom Buchanan, a young man from a powerful, upper class family who could give her the rich lifestyle that she always wanted.
Detailed answer:
Daisy Buchanan is the main female character of “The Great Gatsby”. She is a beautiful young woman who was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Back in the 1920's when World War I was about to start Daisy was being admired by many of the officers posted near her home, including Gatsby. Gatsby mislead Daisy about his past, and claimed to come from a wealthy background in order to convince her that he was deserving of her love. Gatsby won Daisy's heart, and they were madly in love until Gatsby left to fight the war. Daisy vowed to wait for Gatsby, but in 1919 she decided rather to marry Tom Buchanan, a young man from a powerful, upper class family who could give her the rich lifestyle that she always wanted.
The three hundred and fifty thousand dollar pearl necklace that Tom gave Daisy, represents how women can be confined to relationships with men based off of their wealth and status. The necklace symbolizes that wealth and elegance she would obtain by marrying Tom. Jordan tells Nick the story of Daisy’s wedding day, where Daisy had gotten drunk and started to weep about how she did not want to marry Tom and wants to give the necklace back. In her despair, she says “...give ’em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ’em Daisy’s change’ her mine.” When Daisy had recieved the letter from Gatsby, saying that he will return home to her after the war, she was senile and did not know wheather or not to wait for Gatsby or to marry Tom. But Daisy couldn’t wait for Gatsby, “She wanted her life shaped now, immediately - and the decision must be made by some force - of love, of money, of unquestionable practicality - that was close at hand.” Dasiy was conflicted, but ended up choosing the secure life of fortune and “practicality” by marrying Tom. She enjoys the luxurious life Tom can provide her and seems to only stay with him because of it.
Daisy chose to marry Tom over Gatsby because Tom was wealthier and more powerful than Gatsby. Gatsby grew up poor and never had money as Tom did. Daisy promised he would wait for Gatsby while he went to war, but she knew her mother would never let her marry a poor man. While Gatsby was at war, she met Tom and she could not miss a chance to be with him, she decided to marry him for his status and wealth. To Daisy, status and wealth were more important than the love she had for Gatsby. Then, Daisy married into money instead of love.
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