One of the most iconic couples in literature is without a doubt James Gatsby and Daisy, but personally, I feel she is responsible for his death. After all, Jimmy Gatz became someone he wasn’t (in some ways illegal) in order to win her heart. Daisy was superficial. She loved Gatsby, not James Gatz. Gatz/Gatsby literally threw his life away for a girl who did not love him until he became someone he was not.
Personally, I found Daisy Buchanan to be a superficial gold digger. All she cared about is money. When Jay left for war, she lost her handsome, rich soldier, falling in love with the wealthy Tom Buchanan. Even though she almost cancelled her wedding to Tom, she didn’t. She threw away Gatsby's love letter, promising her he would return, for Tom, whose wealth was certain and convenient. In no way am I denying that Daisy never had feelings for Gatsby, but she most certainly left him high and dry in the end of story, letting him take responsibility for Myrtle’s death.
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Many book lovers and movie-goers would be insulted by my saying this, but her relationship with Jay Gatsby ultimately led him to his death. There are those who would argue that Tom, Daisy’s husband, is to blame for keeping the Jay and Daisy apart. He is an adulterer, abusive, and authoritative. He never showed much affection for Daisy; she was just a pretty face for show. His egotistic domineer could speak for itself.
There is no doubt Tom was a terrible husband, but he cannot be blamed for Daisy deciding to stay with him. Did Daisy leave Tom when she had the chance? No. Even with Gatsby, her “love” outside of her window, begging to take her away, she stayed with Tom. Daisy was fully aware of her situation. Her husband may have been cheating on her, but if she addressed the issue, that would risk a divorce.
Without Tom's money, Daisy felt she would be nothing. Gatsby would have loved her, but their lives would have changed. With her husband Tom, she had the stability of his wealth. In the end, she chose money over love, killing the “Great Gatsby.” Money is what Daisy loved the most, and I struggle to believe if Tom or Gatsby’s love could ever compete with Daisy’s desire for financial security.
The fall of the “Great Gatsby” was the result of Gatsby putting his trust in a false love. He was in love with the Daisy Buchannan he knew in Louisville. The life of Jay Gatsby was built for Daisy. All the money, the flashy car, and clothes, were all for her. Without Tom’s money, Daisy was nothing, but without Daisy, Gatsby was nothing. The mighty fall of Jay Gatsby was the result of Daisy and her shallow self.
