The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan Essay Sample

“Never judge a book by its cover”. This well-known line is often exclusively viewed in one way: individuals of society not wanting to be judged solely on appearance, but who they truly are as people. However, this line could also be perceived as an individual wanting to be seen and craved solely off of their desirable beauty and innocent persona. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, tells a story that portrays the life of the upper class in the 1920s. The patriarchy is in control, and women are seen as less than and used primarily as objects to satisfy men’s desires. The most despicable character in the novel is Daisy Buchanan, the infatuation of every power figure in the novel. Despite portraying the role of an innocent, powerless minority, Daisy orchestrates a majority of the conflict within the novel as a dynamic character. Her actions and regards towards Gatsby and his emotions, along with her persona of perfection she portrays proves that Daisy is the true antagonist of the story. Not only does Daisy cause emotional harm to the man who obsesses over her, but to herself and the women’s rights movement. 

Daisy Buchanan is a materialistic woman, motivated by wealth and money. She is brought to life by Fitzgerald, sketched as ignorant and innocent, but is soon exposed as the opposite. Daisy is selfish and self-centered, which in turn leads to her mistreatment of Gatsby, and him paying the ultimate price with his life.  On numerous occasions, she disregards the feelings of the one man who truly cares for her, by leading him on without the intent of pursuing their relationship in the future “ ‘I never loved him,’ ” (Fitzgerald 126). Up until this point in the novel, the reader can infer that there is some form of a romantic connection between Gatsby and Daisy, but at this moment, she completely disregards him and his feelings when put into a position where her lying persona may be at risk. Daisy may have loved Gatsby, but only in a time when it was convenient for her and assisted her in the upkeep of her “perfect” lifestyle. Not only does Daisy embarrass Gatsby by letting her husband, Tom, view him as an imbecile, but she completely abandons him by letting him take the blame for the death of Myrtle when in reality, he had nothing to do with the incident “She vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life, leaving Gatsby - nothing” (Fitzgerald 142). Daisy uses the advantages provided by her desired appearance and financial stability to distance herself from the major complications she creates. She wants and is viewed by society as having a fulfilled life because she is wealthy, beautiful and involved in a marriage. Though perhaps, her concealed life is not so glamorous as she makes it out to be, considering the fact her husband is involved in an extramarital affair, that she is aware of. She treats Gatsby as if he is disposable “Daisy hadn’t even sent a message or a flower” (Fitzgerald 165). When challenges present themselves, Daisy does her best to avoid them, not wanting to tarnish her glorified reputation. She does not so much as send a card after hearing of Gatsby’s fatal passing, but pushes that reality away and out of mind. She is not naive and is aware of the life going on outside of her own, but still, as a result, chooses to ignore and move on. Even after knowing, and loving someone for half a decade, when life events do not go as followed, she is quick to eliminate him from her conscience, going back to her so-called perfect life.

Daisy is a living manifestation of perfection in the eyes of society. She sets the example for young women during this era of relying on male figures to control and make decisions for them, caring only for physical appearance and riches, going against the principles of the suffrage movement “ ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool - that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool’ ” (Fitzgerald 22). Daisy believes that women will never make a difference, ultimately hoping her daughter stays beautiful and ignorant, leaving the accomplishment of the American Dream to be dominated and achieved by the men of society. She fails to respect herself and acknowledge her own self-worth. Daisy is unbothered by the fact that her husband has broken his vows of respect and loyalty, only staying in their marriage because of the financial stability that it provides her. Daisy’s persona and behaviour are counter-intuitive to the suffrage movement, eliminating the autonomy women fight for “Daisy, gleaming like silver, safe and proud above the hot struggles of the poor” (Fitzgerald 142). Due to her privilege, she is afforded the option of ignorance, disregarding the struggles faced by women. She has never been put into a position where real struggle is present, therefore not striving for change, but adding to the problem of inequality within sexes. She lives in a utopia created by herself and her benefits, ignoring the destruction that her behaviour creates. By doing so, she leaves the truly innocent to blame for her detrimental actions, further demonstrating her role as the antagonist of the novel. She has no desire to be content with herself, but for the idea of herself to be praised by others “She wanted her life shaped now, immediately - and the decision must be made by some force - of love, of money, of unquestionable practicality - that was close at hand” (Fitzgerald 144). Daisy is impatient, never wanting to be viewed by society as less than perfect, ultimately ending in her rushing into relationships where she is provided a sense of security, leading her to a conclusion of money and riches trumping her overall happiness.  

The Great Gatsby accentuates the inequity between the sexes, along with the assets and downfalls of being wealthy. Daisy abuses her privilege of being a part of the upper-class society and the benefits it brings, resulting in greater dissension. She uses said privilege to maintain the status of perfection she so desperately craves, being placed on a pedestal by her peers. In multiple instances, she demonstrates insensitivity and ego-centric behaviours towards Jay Gatsby, ultimately leading to the reasoning of his ruination. Regardless of her aura of impeccability and faultlessness, it is brought to light that Daisy’s true personality is unlike the person she is seen as by society, concluding in the antagonistic role that she plays. Although Daisy Buchanan is the most destructive character in the novel causing a majority of the complications, she is arguably the most salient, because, without her, there would be no conflict resulting in no story, potentially causing The Great Gatsby to be unsuccessful.