Ch. 7 Journal Response

The controversy of double-standards has been around for a long time. Mostly between men and women, which is illustrated in this chapter of The Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan has a definite mistress, of whom he's not the least bit ashamed. Talk of previous mistresses leads us to believe it's not a first time thing for Tom. However, as Gatsby and Daisy are reunited and slowly growing closer, he begins to suspect Daisy is having an affair. Tom's suspicions peak after he hosts a lunch with Jordan, Nick, and Gatsby. After the meal, Daisy suggests a trip to the city. Gatsby eagerly agrees, and after some debate, Gatsby and Daisy take a separate car. In the car, Tom is all worked up about Daisy's choice to ride with Gatsby. He asks Nick and Jordan, "did you see that?" (pg. 121) to which Nick responds "see what?". It doesn't take Tom long to realize Nick's nonchalant answer was insincere. "You think I'm pretty dumb, don't you?" (pg 121) Tom demands. Tom only becomes angrier when they arrive in New York when he confronts Gatsby. He eventually sends Gatsby and Daisy back to Long Island together, to show how he isn't the least bit threatened by Gatsby's evident affection for Daisy. My first thought after reading Tom's reaction to it all was that he was a hypocrite. How could he possibly be angry at Daisy for having an "emotional affair" when he has had several physical affairs? Perhaps that is why Tom is so angry. The situation might just have been his "wake up call"; he realizes he never loved any of his mistresses. Daisy is the only woman he feels serious about.