Indirect Characterization of Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (Essay Example)

To quote famous philosopher Phaedrus, “things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has carefully been hidden.” It is common human nature to shift perspectives many times before concluding; it is important to view all aspects of a topic, listen to others’ opinions, and observe behaviors to make a coherent judgment. Otherwise, ideas may be lacking or incorrect- this is especially important when understanding people. Correspondingly, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald creates a list of impressionable characters with various stories. However, readers must consider a variety of factors such as thoughts, words, and actions to truly characterize an individual. One such character, in particular, is Daisy Buchanan, wife of Tom Buchanan and ex-lover of the infamous Jay Gatsby. Throughout the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald begins by indirectly characterizing Daisy Buchanan as an eminent socialite but soon portrays her character as rather shallow and inconsiderate towards others. 

Fitzgerald begins the novel by placing Daisy on a high pedestal; portraying her as the woman that every man desires and every woman wishes to be. Through interactions with various characters, most prominently Gatsby, Nick, and Tom Buchanan, Fitzgerald enables readers to visualize just who the eminent socialite Daisy Buchanan truly is. Nick praises Daisy as, “bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget” (9). Here, readers can immediately create a vivid impression of Daisy as an elegant and charming woman. Those around her are extremely captivated and enthralled by her beauty and charm. Fitzgerald suggests she is rather striking and as such, she has a uniqueness that many of those around her, even in her social class do not possess. Further, Fitzgerald reinforces this point through the eyes of Jay Gatsby. He mentions, through Nick’s observation that, “He [Jay Gatsby] hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy... Sometimes, too, he stared around at his possessions in a dazed way as though in her actual and astounding presence none of it was any longer real. Once he nearly toppled down a flight of stairs” (91). Fitzgerald once again largely aggrandizes Daisy. He claims that Gatsby was so mesmerized by her presence that he could not focus on anything other than her. In other words, her effect is so riveting on those around her that they simply begin to view her as superior to others. Whether it’s her beauty, charm, demeanor, or elegance, she is simply unmatched and she creates a lasting effect on those around her- especially, the men. 

Further, as the novel progresses, Daisy is indirectly characterized as an individual corrupted by greed and wealth. To give an example, when Daisy reunites with her ex-lover, Gatsby, she is astonished by his new home. Once Gatsby introduces his newly furnished home, Daisy squeals, “That huge place there?” (90). Fitzgerald later notes, “Daisy admired this aspect or that of the feudal silhouette against the sky, admired the gardens, the sparkling odor of jonquils…” (90). Rather than admiring his being in his presence and catching up with Gatsby after close to five long years, she is distracted by his abundance of wealth. She does not genuinely connect with Gatsby, but instead is connected to the idea of him- she loves his money. This can be further viewed as the chapter progresses. Once she enters the house, Gatsby shows her his vast collection of shirts of various exotic and luxurious materials imported from across the globe. To this, she states, “It makes me sad because I've never seen such — such beautiful shirts before (92). She then began to sob. Based on this interaction, Fitzgerald makes it clear to readers that Daisy was not sobbing due to her true love for Gatsby, rather, she was sobbing due to the supposedly “beautiful” shirts. Here, she is characterized as materialistic. From Jay Gatsby’s house to his collection of antiques and clothing, Daisy wants everything- except Jay Gatsby himself. She is merely “attracted” to him for his possessions and nothing more. Readers can easily understand her infatuation with materialistic goods as she is now characterized as very shallow and money-oriented. Moreover, after Gatsby’s death, Nick explains, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (179). Once again, Daisy has no true feelings of regret or remorse. Once Gatsby, someone she supposedly loved very dearly, was killed she did not display any concern, she reunited with Tom Buchanan and began to savor her wealth. A major characterization of Daisy Buchanan is her deep desire for wealth and she is in no way bothered or affected by those she loses along the way. 

Lastly, Fitzgerald indirectly characterizes Daisy as someone who cannot form genuine connections with others- all of her relationships are meant to benefit her financially or socially. Initially, when Gatbsy and Daisy ended their relationship, Daisy decided to marry Tom Buchanan. However, on the day of their wedding, Daisy was longer sure about her decision. Fitzgerald explains, “Next day at five o’clock she married Tom Buchanan without so much as a shiver, and started off on a three months’ trip to the South Seas” (76). Here, Fitzgerald reveals, Daisy never truly loved Buchanan. From the day of their wedding, she was always doubtful of their relationship. However, she seized the opportunity to gain a life of abundance and wealth from Tom. She puts a mask on acting like she is truly in love but never has any strong feelings towards Tom. This situation once again manifests itself when she reunites with Gatsby. Gatsby tries to rekindle their old love; however, Daisy claims, “Oh, you want too much!... I love you now—isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past... “I did love him once—but I loved you too” (133). At this point, Daisy reveals she cannot just pick between Buchanan and Gatsby as she loves them both. However, this is a rather childish stance, she is playing with the emotions of two men who both love her and care for her dearly. Yet, she does not show either of them any form of genuine affection. Because, at the end of the day, Daisy would ultimately pick the man with more money, more power, more materialistic as she values this concept of a “wealthy” man, not a lover.

Thus, it is rather apparent that F. Scott Fitzgerald reveals to readers Daisy’s selfish nature, despite being favorably looked upon. Though many in East Egg view Daisy Buchanan in high regard, she is not as naive and simple as she may seem; she is a multi-faceted woman with a dangerous hunger for wealth. She is ambitious in obtaining said wealth and has little to no regard for who she affects along the way. This is Fitzgerald’s way of informing readers that they must consider all perspectives with the novel to truly understand Daisy’s character. It is not enough to trust only Nick, Jay Gatsby, or Tom Buchanan’s opinions alone. A person may not truly be how they outwardly appear.