Partially based on Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda, Daisy isa beautiful young woman from Louisville, Kentucky. She is Nick’scousin and the object of Gatsby’s love. As a young debutante inLouisville, Daisy was extremely popular among the military officersstationed near her home, including Jay Gatsby. Gatsby lied abouthis background to Daisy, claiming to be from a wealthy family inorder to convince her that he was worthy of her. Eventually, Gatsbywon Daisy’s heart, and they made love before Gatsby left to fightin the war. Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby, but in 1919 shechose instead to marry Tom Buchanan, a young man from a solid, aristocraticfamily who could promise her a wealthy lifestyle and who had thesupport of her parents.
After 1919, Gatsby dedicated himselfto winning Daisy back, making her the single goal of all of hisdreams and the main motivation behind his acquisition of immensewealth through criminal activity. To Gatsby, Daisy represents theparagon of perfection—she has the aura of charm, wealth, sophistication,grace, and aristocracy that he longed for as a child in North Dakotaand that first attracted him to her. In reality, however,Daisy falls far short of Gatsby’s ideals. She is beautiful and charming,but also fickle, shallow, bored, and sardonic. Nick characterizesher as a careless person who smashes things up and then retreatsbehind her money. Daisy proves her real nature when she choosesTom over Gatsby in Chapter 7, then allows Gatsby to take the blamefor killing Myrtle Wilson even though she herself was driving thecar. Finally, rather than attend Gatsby’s funeral, Daisy and Tommove away, leaving no forwarding address.
Like Zelda Fitzgerald, Daisy is in love with money, ease,and material luxury. She is capable of affection (she seems genuinely fondof Nick and occasionally seems to love Gatsby sincerely), but notof sustained loyalty or care. She is indifferent even to her own infantdaughter, never discussing her and treating her as an afterthoughtwhen she is introduced in Chapter 7. In Fitzgerald’s conceptionof America in the 1920s, Daisy representsthe amoral values of the aristocratic East Egg set.
FAQs
The suggestion is that Daisy's beautiful voice makes her both irresistible and dangerous, especially to men. By making her voice her most alluring feature, rather than her looks or her movement, Fitzgerald makes that crucial allusion clear.
What is the character analysis of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby? ›
Daisy Buchanan is a shallow woman who charms people with her voice but has an amoral nature. She is considered physically beautiful but is a bored rich woman who is highly materialistic. She is the focus of all of Jay Gatsby's efforts for several years.
How does Daisy describe herself? ›
She describes herself as "sophisticated" and says the best thing a girl can be is a "beautiful little fool," which makes it unsurprising that she lacks conviction and sincerity, and values material things over all else.
How is Daisy Buchanan described in Chapter 1? ›
Throughout chapter 1 the audience are revealed to multiple sides of Daisy Buchanan. At first she is presented as innocent, sweet and intelligent, “… A stirring warmth flowed from her”, however underneath the pretty 'white dress' lays a sardonic, somewhat cynical and corrupted inner-self.
What are three words to describe Daisy's character? ›
She is beautiful and charming, but also fickle, shallow, bored, and sardonic.
What does Daisy Buchanan symbolize? ›
Daisy Buchannan is made to represent the lack of virtue and morality that was present during the 1920s. She is the absolute center of Gatsby's world right up to his death, but she is shown to be uncaring and fickle throughout the novel.
What are Daisy's beliefs and values? ›
Daisy Buchanan
She views herself as elegant and believes that the ideal female is a "beautiful little fool," demonstrating a certain lack of authenticity and a somewhat materialistic nature.
What is Daisy Buchanan attitude? ›
Daisy's world
a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool. Daisy's attitude could alternatively be viewed as a shrewd (albeit cynical) one. In a world dominated by men, intelligence in a woman could lead to frustration and unhappiness. Daisy has always been sheltered by money.
What is Daisy's conflict in The Great Gatsby? ›
Daisy is clearly disenchanted by Tom and her marriage. Outwardly she's a woman of privilege with everything she could possibly want: a beautiful home, a wealthy husband, and a perfect little girl. But at the end of the day, she's married to a man who cheats on her and bullies the people around him.
What attributes of Daisy are revealed? ›
She is not the embodiment of charm, grace and sophistication she appears to be; instead she is selfish, careless, fickle and shallow. Her perfect facade has, by the novel's denouement, completely disintegrated. Daisy's character is based on Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda.
Although Gatsby truly loved Daisy, this love was one-sided because Daisy was only attracted to Gatsby because of his wealth and status.
What is Daisy a metaphor for? ›
These sunny springtime blooms have several positive meanings. The meaning of a daisy flower can be purity, innocence, new beginnings, joy and cheerfulness. In the Victorian Era, daisies symbolised innocence, loyalty and an ability to keep things secret.
Why did Daisy not choose Gatsby? ›
Although Daisy may have loved Gatsby once, she does not love him more than the wealth, status, and freedom that she has with Tom.
How is Daisy described in Chapter 8? ›
Nick identifies Daisy's aura of wealth and privilege—her many clothes, perfect house, lack of fear or worry—as a central component of Gatsby's attraction to her. The reader has already seen that Gatsby idolizes both wealth and Daisy.
How is Daisy careless in The Great Gatsby? ›
Daisy shows carelessness because of her wealth and privilege. She is careless with her marriage, nearly throwing it all away to be with Gatsby. She is also careless with other people's lives when she runs over Myrtle and does not even stop.
What is Daisy's biggest accomplishment? ›
Accomplishment. Daisy's greatest accomplishment in the Great Gatsby is not something of material matter. Rather her biggest accomplishment is continuing to entertain Gatsby with the idea of being with her. As a result, Gatsby allows Daisy into his life of luxury.
What does Daisy seem to be the most impressed? ›
What does Daisy seem to be the most impressed with while touring Gatsby's house? What is her reaction? His collection of English shirts. She cries saying that she had never seen such beautiful shirts before.
What is Daisy Buchanan most impressed by? ›
Final answer: In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby impressed Daisy by showcasing his wealth, particularly through his luxurious house and elegant clothing. This action demonstrates his conflation of love with material possessions, aiming to win her affection by displaying his success.
What are some opinions about Daisy Buchanan? ›
Throughout the story she seems a bit empty and superficial, like the poster-girl or dream-girl that every man wants but who has no depth. Grand gestures are made and past emotions are pulled out again, and yet Daisy still doesn't go for the happily-ever-after and the man who's willing to give it all to her.
