As I was looking at pictures for this blog I stumbled across this picture. At first it seemed innocent enough, but as I continued looking at it it raised a very important question. What really killed Gatsby? Was it his love-gone-wrong obsession over Daisy or was it something else-- something not as obvious.
I think it was a combination of the two. The straight forward reason of why Gatsby was killed was because he tried to force Daisy to confess that she never loved Tom. Daisy was very shaken so she decided to drive home. Daisy accidentally runs over Myrtle and Gatsby takes the blame. A grief-stricken George later avenges his wife and shoots Gatsby and the killing circle ends.
So that's what's on the surface. "Girlfriend" kills other girl. "Boyfriend" takes blame. Husband kills "boyfriend." The end. But what are the underlying causes, the smaller details not often brought to light? Recall that not too far from the end of the story, right after Myrtle is killed Tom reveals to the weeping George that it was Gatsby's car that does the deed. Remember that Tom is also affected by Myrtle's death, she was his mistress after all. Now rewind even further back; back before Tom and Gatsby's fight over Daisy. When Daisy vanishes for nearly all day after tea at Nick's house Tom restricts her romping about by demanding that he go with her. So, seeming completely unaffected, Daisy drags him along to one of Gatsby's parties. While mentioned in the book, this scene is exaggerated in the movie helping viewers make connections.
At said party Gatsby and Daisy keep their flirting as much on the down-low as Tom and Myrtle. This upsets Tom who is extraordinarily possessive. As Tom clings tighter Daisy tries harder to escape his grasp. Gatsby helps her in this endeavor, whisking her away to the dance floor. If Tom ever started to hate Gatsby and realize that he might be after his wife, it was this moment.
To keep on our book hopping journey let's fast forward to Tom and Gatsby's fight (you know, the BIG one). After that fight Tom had every reason to hate Gatsby and hate Gatsby he did. Of course nothing helps you get over the shock of almost loosing your wife than loosing your mistress to the man who almost stole your wife. Ouch.
Tom is not the only one to be blamed for Gatsby's death. In fact, I think nearly all of our main characters had their hand in it except Nick who, innocent bystander that he is, watched the action from the sidelines unable to call a foul.
There are many reasons why Gatsby died and including all of them is the job of a multi-page report. However, I feel that I have given you enough to get you thinking.
I think it was a combination of the two. The straight forward reason of why Gatsby was killed was because he tried to force Daisy to confess that she never loved Tom. Daisy was very shaken so she decided to drive home. Daisy accidentally runs over Myrtle and Gatsby takes the blame. A grief-stricken George later avenges his wife and shoots Gatsby and the killing circle ends.
So that's what's on the surface. "Girlfriend" kills other girl. "Boyfriend" takes blame. Husband kills "boyfriend." The end. But what are the underlying causes, the smaller details not often brought to light? Recall that not too far from the end of the story, right after Myrtle is killed Tom reveals to the weeping George that it was Gatsby's car that does the deed. Remember that Tom is also affected by Myrtle's death, she was his mistress after all. Now rewind even further back; back before Tom and Gatsby's fight over Daisy. When Daisy vanishes for nearly all day after tea at Nick's house Tom restricts her romping about by demanding that he go with her. So, seeming completely unaffected, Daisy drags him along to one of Gatsby's parties. While mentioned in the book, this scene is exaggerated in the movie helping viewers make connections.
At said party Gatsby and Daisy keep their flirting as much on the down-low as Tom and Myrtle. This upsets Tom who is extraordinarily possessive. As Tom clings tighter Daisy tries harder to escape his grasp. Gatsby helps her in this endeavor, whisking her away to the dance floor. If Tom ever started to hate Gatsby and realize that he might be after his wife, it was this moment.
To keep on our book hopping journey let's fast forward to Tom and Gatsby's fight (you know, the BIG one). After that fight Tom had every reason to hate Gatsby and hate Gatsby he did. Of course nothing helps you get over the shock of almost loosing your wife than loosing your mistress to the man who almost stole your wife. Ouch.
Tom is not the only one to be blamed for Gatsby's death. In fact, I think nearly all of our main characters had their hand in it except Nick who, innocent bystander that he is, watched the action from the sidelines unable to call a foul.
There are many reasons why Gatsby died and including all of them is the job of a multi-page report. However, I feel that I have given you enough to get you thinking.