Chapter 8

I have still to read chapter 9, so I will write my journal on chapter 8 alone.
First of all, I was so sad for Gatsby. I've always loved him and thought he was a teddy bear, so the reflection on the demise of his and Daisy's relationship disheartened me. Also, from the description of Gatsby's relationship with Daisy, he clearly sees her as more of a dream and an object, rather than someone he truly loves. She is described as "the first 'nice' girl" Gatsby ever met, so that must have given him some sort of hope towards love. Then, his love grows with material items and the fact that other men have loved her, rather than her personality. "He felt married to her, that was all" (149). Marriage does not necessarily include love, but the dependency of two people. Therefore, Gatsby and Daisy's relationship seems to be based on the image and the dream and the stability of it, rather than true feelings. This is also confirmed by the fact that Daisy did not marry Gatsby-she was not stable with him financially, and by the fact that she stays with Tom, showing that her feelings are not fully there. The best moments are also depicted as the times when she would kiss his shoulder or he would touch her fingers, purely physical actions, rather than discussion, or how he liked when her voice was huskier when she was sick. Gatsby focuses more on her physical aspects, rather than care about the the fact that she was sick. Basically, Gatsby and Daisy's relationship does not seem legitimate. Their love is based on silly actions and details.

-Brittany Bishop