The Great Gatsby: Chapter VII

In chapter seven of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald describes the external conflict between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan over Daisy. Both affairs have come to light, yet Tom remains in competition with Gatsby for Daisy's hand. Before the arguement, Daisy seemed to have settled on Gatsby. She told him that she loved him, kissed him, and often tried to seperate from the group with him on this trip to town. All outward signs point to her prefering Gatsby to her husbend. However, this is not the case when the men break out in arguement. Simultaniously, the men's external conflict and Daisy's internal conflict combine. Although Daisy may prefer Gatsby, she lacks the independence and courage to actually leave her husbend, despite all his wrongdoings. When the men demand she speak up in the arguement, she remains unable to solve her internal conflict and expresses confusion. Daisy then states to Gatsby she "did love him (Tom) once-but I loved you too" (Fitzerald, 132). It is after this statement I realize Daisy will never leave her husbend for Gatsby. To leave her husbend, she would need tremendous will-power, and overpowering love for Gatsby, and an overwhelming disdain for her husbend. Unfortunately for Gatsby, she seems to be lacking in all three.