Gatsby Literary Criticism

Sara Halilbasic

Mr. Jennings

AP Language and Composition

February 20, 2014

Literary Criticism Analysis

During the reading of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a number of people might view the marriage of Tom and Daisy as corrupt and unhealthy, and bound to come to an end at some point in the book. The arguments and bickering between Tom and Daisy don’t come across as actions which would be normal in a perfect and healthy marriage. However, according to Brian Sutton’s literary criticism, entitled Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY, it is clear that from the beginning of the book that Tom and Daisy are perfect for each other, and their marriage was as strong as could be, and Fitzgerald shows this unity through the repeated use of one image; a square of artificial light framing Tom and Daisy. I would say I agree with this claim because, although I hadn’t noticed the image of the frame of light when first reading the book, after reading this literary criticism I found that it was a great use of a symbol to show the unity of Tom and Daisy.<--HERE OR SOON AFTER STATE SPECIFICALLY THE MOMENTS SUTTON REFERS TO AS THE BASIS OF HIS ARGUMENT

As stated earlier, the central claim of Brian Sutton’s literary criticism of The Great Gatsby is that Fitzgerald uses the recurring image of a square of light to frame Tom and Daisy to show that from the beginning of the book Tom and Daisy are perfect and meant to be together. In his first body paragraph he states that although at first it seems that Daisy might leave Tom for Gatsby, Fitzgerald hints that despite or because of the corruption of the marriage Daisy is content with being married to Tom. Daisy blamed Tom for a bruise on her knuckle and called him “a brute” and “hulking” (12), she belittled his ideas when he talked about books he had read (13-14), and when she is alone with Nick she complains about her marriage (17-18). However, Nick says that she said this insincerely and with a smirk on her face (18). Tom and Daisy also speak as a unit, saying “we” (20). And when Nick leaves for the night, Fitzgerald uses the image of the square of artificial light coming from their front door to frame Tom and Daisy (19).

Despite the fact that during Gatsby’s party Tom and Daisy argue a great amount, neither, in actuality, likes the party, and their mutual distaste for the party unites the two. They argue throughout the night, show great dislike for the other’s potential lover, and Daisy defends Gatsby when Tom speaks ill of him and his party (106-109). But despite her defense of Gatsby, Daisy herself doesn’t enjoy the party either, and at the end of the evening, when Tom and Daisy are leaving the party, they are once again framed by “ten square feet of light” coming from Gatsby’s front door (107).

Though Daisy calls Tom “revolting” when he admits to having affairs, Gatsby’s chances to winning Daisy are next to none once Tom reveals how it is exactly that Gatsby acquired all his money (131-134). Tom senses that Daisy loves Gatsby by her facial expressions and tone of voice (119), but when Gatsby tells her to tell Tom she never loved him her reaction makes it clear that “she had never, all along, intended to do anything at all” (132).

When Tom tells Daisy and Gatsby to leave together and the accident with Myrtle happens, Gatsby takes the blame. He waits outside Tom and Daisy’s home when Tom is speaking with Daisy, because he knows that his only remaining chance with Daisy would happen if Tom drove her away with violence. But when Nick goes up to the house to see if anything is happening, he sees Tom and Daisy, once again framed by a square of light coming through a window, speaking calmly with one another (144-145). The irony of the square of light repeatedly framing Tom and Daisy is that in the end it was Gatsby who was framed by the both of them. He was framed for running over and killing Myrtle, which was what Daisy did, and for being Myrtle’s lover, which was what Tom was.

I agree with Sutton’s claim that despite or because of the corruption of the marriage Daisy was happy with being married to Tom. They constantly argued, as seen throughout the book, but still Daisy stayed with Tom. If she had truly loved Gatsby, she would have left Tom for him, but she loved Tom too much to do that. Sutton’s claim that the mutual dislike for Gatsby’s party unites Tom and Daisy I find to be true as well. Both are repulsed by Gatsby’s party and the people in it. Daisy was offended by the party, and she was appalled by West Egg (107). They were both accustomed to their luxurious lives in East Egg, and neither was impressed by Gatsby’s world. I also agree that Gatsby had next to no chance with Daisy once she found out how he had come about all his money. Gatsby bootlegged his way to the top, unlike Tom and Daisy who were born into wealth. Daisy was very materialistic, as is hinted when she cried as Gatsby was showing off his house and clothing (92), and so she would of course be attracted to his money. But once it became clear how he got his money, it instantly put her off, SUPPORT? and once again she turned to Tom. I also do believe that Gatsby’s last chance with Daisy would be if Tom hit her, but once they are shown sitting peacefully with one another it is certain they are in love and care for one another, and are trying to find a way out of the problem with Myrtle.

The idea that Tom and Daisy are a perfect couple might come off as ridiculous after observing how they act towards each other, but I agree with the central claim of Sutton’s literary criticism. Throughout the book it becomes clearer and clearer that Tom and Daisy, though they have different personalities and attitudes, think in a similar way and have similar priorities and similar views about life. Throughout the book becomes more obvious that Tom and Daisy are quite alike, and so they are a well-matched couple. They are both narrow-minded and self-centered individuals. Tom only cares about making himself look better, and we later learn it’s the same case for Daisy. She appears to love Gatsby, but she only “loved” him for his money, and once she learns how he came about all his money she instantly turns back to Tom. In addition, Fitzgerald’s use of the symbol of the square of artificial light helps to show unity of the two characters in a subtle but effective way. Once the relationship between Tom and Daisy is examined, it is difficult to argue that they are anything but a perfectly matched couple.

Sara: Nice job extending the evidence from Sutton’s text that the imagery and framing of light reveals Tom and Daisy’s relationship. Strong evidence and explanation of their relationship adds to the evidence Sutton uses to show how they were “two of a kind”. Make sure to state somehow that you are not analyzing so much Sutton’s evidence as the conclusion he draws from this evidence. Since you don’t necessarily go after or address his focus on light as imagery, you’ll need to do this to make sure we know you’re adding evidence from a pool of evidence outside what Sutton uses.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Scribner, 1925. Print.

Sutton, Brian. ""Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby"" Gale Group Database. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.