Since the 1800's, people's drive for wealth has been stronger than any other factor in their lives. Scott Fitzgerald uses his method to create the appearance and personality of imaginary persons and reveals their character. Many people marry solely for money, and completely disregard their feelings or the feelings of their spouse. This usually leads to great unhappiness and regret later in life. Through his characterization in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that the drive for wealth, along with happiness and fulfillment leads to moral corruption through his characterization.
Daisy Buchanan, the woman who claims Gatsby's love, is a socialite who is obsessed with wealth. As a young debutante in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, Daisy falls in love with a young military officer named Jay Gatsby. When he goes off to war, she promises to wait for him. However, in 1919 Daisy breaks her promise and marries a young man named Tom Buchanan. Tom is from an aristocratic family. He promises her a wealthy life and the approval of her parents. When Gatsby returns he devotes his life to winning Daisy back. To him she represents perfection. She gives him the wealth that he longed for as a child. However, Daisy falls short of Gatsby's ideals. She may be beautiful, charming and wealthy, but behind her beautiful face she is fickle and shallow. Daisy proves this when she chooses Tom over Gatsby and blames him for the killing of Myrtle Wilson even though she herself was driving the car. Finally, rather than attending Gatsby's funeral, she and Tom move away. Nick remembers, " Daisy hadn't sent a message or a flower."(183) Daisy is in love with money and luxury. She is capable of affection but not of loyalty or care. She is ignoring of her own child. She never discusses her and treats her as an afterthought when she is introduced in chapter seven. Of her daughter, Daisy says, "I hope she"ll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.
