The second half of chapter one finally brought some conflict into the novel. First, Tom Buchanan has apparently been cheating on Daisy with "some woman in New York" (Fitzgerald 15). However, I cannot tell if Daisy knows of Tom's scandal and wants to work things out with him or if she is still blissfully unaware of her husband's infidelity. Regardless, Jordan Baker DOES know about Tom's actions and, spending much time with Daisy, will inevitably inform her. In addition to that juicy external conflict, Daisy foreshadows a possible romance between my man Nick and Miss Baker when she jokes, after assuring future meetings between Jordan and Nick, "In fact, I think I'll arrange a marriage. Come over often, Nick, and I'll sort of--oh--fling you together" (Fitzgerald 18). Look out, Lily and Selden! We have a new contender for hottest summer work couple. What concerns me, though, is Nick's paying more attention to Daisy's beauty and alluring voice than to Jordan's subtle attempts at flirtation. Daisy is Nick's cousin AND she's married! I can understand Fitzgerald trying to characterize Daisy through Nick's observations, but why all the incestuous thoughts in these novels? Joking aside, I do hope a romantic relationship develops between Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker. Hopeless romantic as I am, such a relationship would make the novel exponentially more interesting. Even without a love aspect to the novel, the mysterious first appearance of Gatsby promises for an escalation in the action in the following chapter.
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| Will Nick and Jordan be together? Will Tom and Daisy separate? Does Nick have feelings for Daisy? |
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