Is Jay Gatsby The New "Rizz" King?

     Last week, I talked about Daisy and Tom’s relationship, which was a prominent part of the chapters assigned. Throughout the reading this week, there was an increased focus on the development/rekindling of the relationship between Daisy and Jay Gatsby. Through their interactions up until Chapter 7, it is clear that the two have a romantic attraction for one another. However, it is also heavily implied that one has stronger feelings than the other. For the span of around half a decade, Jay Gatsby has waited and essentially wasted the peak years of his physical prime, abstaining from any romantic relationships during Daisy’s absence in his life. Daisy, on the other hand, wed another man and gave birth to a child after she and Gatsby were physically separated due to the war.

    Thus, it’s quite obvious that Gatsby is getting the short end of the stick in their relationship. She simply doesn’t care for him as much as he does for her. Despite his wealth, physical looks, and capability to charm any woman, he’s still fixated on and utterly obsessed with Daisy. He refuses to accept the reality that she is another man’s wife. Additionally, he fails to understand that the Daisy in the present, can no longer be the same Daisy he fell in love with all those years ago.

    To further explain, Gatsby worships Daisy's very existence. He is willing to provide for her anything she wants and anything she needs at a moment’s notice and without hesitation. Hence, his actions and romantic efforts reek of desperation. He lets another person dictate the course of his life and his personal choices. Moreover, even after Gatsby decides to take the blame for the murder of Myrtle Wilson in place of Daisy, she remains and reconciles with her husband, Tom. Gatsby, who still pathetically stands outside of her residence in an act of loyalty that is unreciprocated, is closer to her than ever before in terms of proximity, yet still so far away emotionally and romantically. He’s still just the third wheel, the side piece, and the ex-boyfriend. He will never have the same relationship with Daisy as Daisy has with Tom.