Types of Love in The Great Gatsby

Idealised
1. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy has transformed his memory of her into an image of perfection.
2. Daisy’s claims to love Gatsby, but she’s holding on to the past and idealised their romance.
Unconditional
1. When Wilson discovers Myrtle’s affair he’s crushed and appears “physically sick”. He still loves her and her death affects him to the point he acts “sort of crazy” and is willing to commit murder and suicide.
2. Daisy and Tom’s relationship has elements that seem unconditional. When they stay together.
Material
1. Myrtle loves Tom because of the life he represents and the happiness she gets from the things he buys her.
2. Myrtle’s materialism affects her marriage. She ‘can’t stand’ Wilson, simply because he’s poor and she regards him as a failure.
3. Gatsby loves Daisy because she represents wealth.
4. Tom and Daisy’s relationship is held together by material love.
Forbidden
1. Daisy and Gatsby- Daisy is married to Tom and therefore is his property so when Gatsby courts Daisy it’s forbidden.
2. Myrtle and Tom- Their affair is forbidden from Myrtles side as she is married to George and supposed to be loyal. However, this love isn’t forbidden to Tom because he doesn’t have any responsibility’s to Daisy
Familial
1. Nick and Gatsby share a familial love as Gatsby befriends Nick when trying to reconnect with Daisy.

Resource summary

	Created by Melissa Prince over 6 years ago