Theme Of Betrayal In The Great Gatsby

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Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald Title: The Great Gatsby Thesis: During the mid 1920’s in America, betrayal of one’s love and trust was a common occurrence. During the novel the first act of betrayal occurred when Tom Buchanan betrayed his wife, Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway is having dinner at the Buchanan’s residence with Tom, Daisy, and Jordan Baker. The four of them are enjoying dinner and conversing comfortably until Tom’s butler came back and whispered something in Tom’s ear, resulting in him leaving the dinner table. As soon as Tom left, Daisy seemed unease and excused herself from the table abruptly. “You mean to say you don’t know?” said Miss Baker, honestly surprised. “I thought everybody knew.” “I don’t.” “Why ——” she…show more content…
(38) In this passage we learn that the wife of Mr. Wilson, a hardworking and loving individual, is Tom’s mistress. She betrays the love of her husband by cheating on him with Tom, which is evident when Tom says, “I want to see you,” and she agrees, “All right.” “She nodded and moved away from him just as George Wilson emerged with two chairs from his office door,” shows that she further betrayed his trust by planning a meeting with Tom while her husband was out of the room. Early in chapter seven of the novel we are introduced to the third act of betrayal. Nick and Mr. Gatsby had just arrived at the Buchannan residence and sat down with Jordan and Daisy. At this point it was apparent that Tom was not in the room due to a phone call with George Wilson. When Tom returns to the room Daisy sends him to get refreshments. “As he left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulled his face down, kissing him on the mouth. “You know I love you,” she murmured.…show more content…
“Turned back eagerly to his scrutiny of the house,” shows that Gatsby is still desperate for Daisy even after she has returned to Tom. Daisy told Gatsby earlier in the novel that she loved him, but in the end she chose Tom and has betrayed the love of Mr. Gatsby. “Watching over nothing,” is Nick’s way of saying the Gatsby’s dream is over yet he still continues to watch Daisy through their kitchen window. Gatsby is betraying himself because he knows that his dream ended earlier that day, but he won’t let go of that dream and is going to such extents to spy on his

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