A Lot like Love

A Lot Like Love

The power of love often results in confusion and chaos. Although F. Scott Fitzgerald focuses on mainly Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship in The Great Gatsby, he nevertheless exposes three underlying love triangles. "It was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which is not likely I shall ever find again" (Fitzgerald, 2). Love embodies a precious role in the novel as Gatsby states in the afore mentioned quote. Love holds a place on one end of the spectrum where as affairs exist all the way on the other side. Gatsby truly loves Daisy as she loves him. However Daisy finds security with Tom, where money is the main motivating factor. Tom views Daisy as his trophy wife, and soon has an affair with Myrtle. Although Myrtle has a husband, she continues to have meaningless relationships with George and Tom.

Daisy displays feelings for both Tom and Gatsby. Daisy is torn between the wealth and security of Tom, and the intense love of Gatsby. Gatsby sees Daisy as a beacon of hope. Once Gatsby and Daisy begin their affair, Gatsby is willing to supply Daisy with anything she desires. When Gatsby leaves the numerous silk shirts on the bed, this demonstrates an obvious display of his willingness to provide for her. Gatsby loves Daisy and she knows he makes her happy. However, against all odds, Daisy’s decision leans in Tom’s favor. Daisy ultimately chooses Tom over Gatsby simply for the reason that he is able to provide for her. He can support her lavish lifestyle and many wants and needs. "Daisy, gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor" (142). She chooses Tom so she can stand above the hardships of the poor. Also, Daisy believes Tom is also the father of her children. Daisy feels her children need a father figure. Tom will keep Daisy in a level of upper-class that Gatsby has yet to reach. Daisy refuses to leave Tom because in the end, love is not as important as sitting high on a pedestal in the social hierarchy of the present society.

Tom has no reason to become angry towards Daisy for her affair with Gatsby, because he has a fling with Myrtle while still seeing Daisy. Myrtle lives in the Valley of Ashes which is an obvious death image. "This is a valley of ashes - a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat" (26). Tom’s feelings or lack thereof, towards her may result in a death of his relationship with Daisy. Tom’s meaningless affair with Myrtle is in many ways, an escape from the pressures of being a good honest man. He obtains the ability to abuse her physically and mentally without the risk of losing her because he does not really care about her anyway. Seeing Myrtle allows Tom to divert from his lifestyle, commitments, and responsibilities. Daisy definitely holds importance in Tom’s life, however, he feels tied down to her. Daisy obtains the image of the perfect wife. With Daisy by his side, he receives respect and glances with a sense of prestige. Even though Tom mistreats Daisy, he still needs her to maintain his social standing. Love possesses a secondary role in Tom and Daisy’s relationship, but in the end, Tom ultimately remains with Daisy. Myrtle retains no significance in Tom’s life. The only remnants of feelings lie within the fling between Myrtle and Tom, up until her death.

Myrtle’s life may have been cut short, but she lives large. She juggles Tom and her husband George. George is a mechanic who lives