What Does Gatsby Want Daisy To Do

Daisy Buchanan, a shimmering mirage of wealth and allure in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, holds the key to Jay Gatsby's meticulously constructed world. His lavish parties, his opulent mansion, and his relentless pursuit of fortune are all meticulously orchestrated to recapture a past with Daisy, a past he idealizes and believes he can recreate. Understanding what Gatsby wants Daisy to do requires delving into the depths of his romantic idealism, his distorted perception of reality, and the tragic flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. In essence, Gatsby desires Daisy to renounce her present life with Tom Buchanan, to declare that she never loved him, and to fully embrace a future with Gatsby, mirroring the idyllic summer they shared five years prior. This seemingly simple request, however, is fraught with complexities and contradictions, revealing the impossibility of reliving the past and the destructive nature of clinging to idealized versions of reality.

The Dream of Reclaiming the Past

Gatsby's fundamental desire hinges on his belief that he can rewind time and erase the intervening years between his initial romance with Daisy and their reunion. He clings to the notion that their love was pure and untainted, untouched by the realities of societal pressures, wealth, and the choices they have both made. This yearning for the past fuels his every action.

• Erasing Tom: The cornerstone of Gatsby's plan is for Daisy to unequivocally state that she never loved Tom. This declaration would invalidate their marriage, effectively erasing Tom from their shared history and paving the way for Gatsby to seamlessly step back into her life as if the intervening years never existed. This is not simply about winning Daisy; it is about rewriting the narrative of their lives.
• Recreating Louisville: Gatsby meticulously attempts to recreate the atmosphere of their initial courtship in Louisville. He buys the mansion across the bay from her, throws extravagant parties hoping she will attend, and even arranges their reunion through Nick Carraway. He believes that by replicating the environment of their past, he can conjure the same emotions and recreate the magic they once shared.
• Ignoring Reality: Gatsby's obsession with the past blinds him to the present reality of Daisy's life. He ignores the fact that she is a wife, a mother, and a product of her social class. He refuses to acknowledge the complexities of her character and instead projects his idealized image of her onto the real Daisy.

The Idealized Daisy

Gatsby's desire is not for the real Daisy, but for an idealized version of her, a figment of his romantic imagination. This idealized Daisy embodies his dreams of wealth, status, and a perfect love that transcends societal constraints.

• The Golden Girl: Gatsby is captivated by Daisy's beauty, her charm, and her association with wealth and privilege. She represents the world he longs to be a part of, a world of effortless elegance and social grace. He sees her as the embodiment of his aspirations, a symbol of his success.
• The Untainted Love: Gatsby believes that their love was pure and untainted, a bond that transcends social barriers and material possessions. He idealizes their initial romance, remembering only the idyllic moments and ignoring the underlying complexities of their relationship.
• The Willing Partner: Gatsby assumes that Daisy shares his desire to recreate the past and that she is willing to abandon her present life to be with him. He fails to recognize her limitations and her inherent dependence on the stability and security that Tom provides.

The Inherent Impossibility

Gatsby's desire for Daisy to renounce her life with Tom and embrace a future with him is ultimately an impossible dream. The past cannot be recreated, and people cannot be forced to conform to idealized expectations.

• The Changed Daisy: The Daisy that Gatsby remembers is not the Daisy that exists in the present. Five years have passed, and she has been shaped by her experiences, her marriage, and her social environment. She is no longer the naive young woman he fell in love with.
• The Power of Tom: Tom Buchanan represents stability, security, and social standing, all of which hold significant value for Daisy. Despite his infidelity and his brutish nature, Tom provides her with a sense of belonging and a connection to her social class that Gatsby cannot offer.
• The Weight of Reality: The realities of Daisy's life, including her daughter Pammy and her social obligations, cannot be simply erased. Gatsby's dream ignores the complexities of her situation and the consequences of her actions.

The Confrontation and its Fallout

The climactic confrontation in the Plaza Hotel exposes the flaws in Gatsby's plan and the impossibility of his dream. Daisy is unable to say that she never loved Tom, shattering Gatsby's carefully constructed illusion.

• The Inability to Deny: When pressed to declare that she never loved Tom, Daisy falters. She admits to loving both men at different times, revealing the complexity of her emotions and the impossibility of erasing the past. This admission is a devastating blow to Gatsby's dream.
• The Exposure of Gatsby's Past: Tom exposes the source of Gatsby's wealth, revealing his illicit dealings and undermining his carefully crafted image of respectability. This revelation further diminishes Gatsby in Daisy's eyes.
• The Retreat to Comfort: Faced with the uncertainty and potential scandal of running away with Gatsby, Daisy retreats to the safety and familiarity of her marriage to Tom. She chooses security over passion, confirming the limitations of her character.

The Tragic Consequences

Gatsby's unwavering belief in his dream ultimately leads to his tragic downfall. He is so consumed by his desire to recreate the past that he fails to recognize the reality of his situation and the limitations of those around him.

• Taking the Blame: After Myrtle Wilson's death, Gatsby takes the blame for Daisy's actions, further demonstrating his unwavering devotion to her. He is willing to sacrifice himself to protect her, even though she is unwilling to reciprocate his loyalty.
• Clinging to Hope: Even after the confrontation at the Plaza Hotel, Gatsby continues to cling to the hope that Daisy will choose him. He waits for her call, refusing to believe that their dream is truly over.
• The Ultimate Sacrifice: Gatsby's death is a direct result of his unwavering belief in his dream. He is shot by George Wilson, who believes that Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death. His death symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for a dream that was never attainable.

Psychological and Sociological Interpretations

Gatsby's desire for Daisy can be analyzed through various psychological and sociological lenses. These perspectives offer deeper insights into the motivations behind his actions and the broader themes of the novel.

• Idealization and Projection: From a psychological perspective, Gatsby's idealization of Daisy can be seen as a form of projection. He projects his own desires and fantasies onto her, creating an idealized image that bears little resemblance to the real Daisy. This projection allows him to fulfill his own unmet needs and desires through her.
• The American Dream: Sociologically, Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy can be interpreted as a commentary on the American Dream. He believes that wealth and status can buy him happiness and love, but he ultimately discovers that these things are not enough. His pursuit of Daisy reflects the disillusionment and corruption that can accompany the pursuit of the American Dream.
• Class and Social Mobility: Gatsby's desire for Daisy is also intertwined with issues of class and social mobility. He is an outsider who seeks to gain acceptance into the elite world of the Buchanans. His love for Daisy represents his desire to transcend his social origins and achieve upward mobility.

The Significance of Daisy's Choices

Daisy's choices throughout the novel are crucial to understanding Gatsby's motivations and the tragic outcome of their relationship. Her actions reveal her character, her limitations, and the societal pressures that influence her decisions.

• Her Passivity: Daisy is often portrayed as a passive character, lacking the strength and independence to make her own choices. She is easily influenced by others and often chooses the path of least resistance. This passivity contributes to her inability to fully commit to Gatsby.
• Her Materialism: Daisy is deeply embedded in the materialistic world of the wealthy elite. She values comfort, security, and social status above all else. This materialism influences her decision to stay with Tom, despite her feelings for Gatsby.
• Her Ultimate Responsibility: While Daisy is a victim of her circumstances to some extent, she also bears responsibility for her actions. Her recklessness and her inability to take responsibility for her choices contribute to the tragic events of the novel.

Exploring Alternative Interpretations

While the dominant interpretation focuses on Gatsby's idealized love for Daisy, alternative perspectives offer different insights into their relationship.

• Gatsby's Self-Deception: Some critics argue that Gatsby is not genuinely in love with Daisy, but rather uses her as a symbol of his own success and ambition. He is more in love with the idea of Daisy than with the real person.
• Daisy as a Victim: Other interpretations portray Daisy as a victim of her social circumstances, trapped in a loveless marriage and unable to escape the constraints of her class. She is a product of her environment, and her choices are limited by societal expectations.
• The Critique of the Roaring Twenties: The novel can also be read as a critique of the excesses and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties. Gatsby and Daisy's relationship symbolizes the superficiality and corruption that underlie the glittering facade of the era.

Conclusion: The Unattainable Dream

In conclusion, Gatsby wants Daisy to rewrite the past, to erase Tom, and to embrace a future with him based on an idealized version of their initial romance. This desire is rooted in his romantic idealism, his distorted perception of reality, and his unwavering belief in the power of wealth and love. However, Gatsby's dream is ultimately unattainable because the past cannot be recreated, people cannot be forced to conform to idealized expectations, and the realities of life often clash with romantic fantasies. Daisy's choices, her limitations, and the societal pressures that influence her decisions all contribute to the tragic outcome of their relationship. The Great Gatsby serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of clinging to idealized versions of the past and the destructive nature of pursuing unattainable dreams. Gatsby's unwavering devotion to Daisy, while seemingly noble, ultimately leads to his downfall, highlighting the complexities of love, the illusion of the American Dream, and the enduring power of the past.