Chapter Seven: Love & Historical Context
English Lit: AQA A Level The Great Gatsby - Specification A, topic 3.7.3
Chapter Seven - Love, Historical Context and Historicism
For specification A, you are specifically interested in the implication of texts in history and how the ideology of love is presented in this text. Here are some ideas relevant to that reading:
Daisy's visits to Gatsby
- The fact that Daisy comes over to Gatsby's quite often may indicate that love had been rekindled, but things may not be as simple as that.
Gatsby's view of Pammy
- Gatsby finds it hard to accept Pammy – the consummation of Tom and Daisy’s love. He has not known about her before. He perhaps realises that their love might disrupt the family unit.
Gatsby and Daisy's kiss
- Daisy and Gatsby’s kiss may indicate a return of love, but it is unclear if it is genuine and lasting.
Tom's realisation
- Tom realises that Gatsby and Daisy are having a love affair, and so seems to set a plan in action.
Changes in Daisy
- Gatsby and Nick note the changes in Daisy. These changes make her out to be less of a person to love than before.
Chapter Seven - Love, Historical Context and Historicism
For specification A, you are specifically interested in the implication of texts in history and how the ideology of love is presented in this text. Here are some ideas relevant to that reading:
Instability of Tom
- The instability of Tom shows that he believes that the low affair between Daisy and Gatsby is growing. He feels he cannot do anything to stop it.
Tom's fears over Myrtle
- Tom is now worried because at Wilson’s Garage, he learns that he and Myrtle are moving West. His love affair with Myrtle will then have to end.
Myrtle's jealousy
- Myrtle’s jealousy towards Daisy is exposed in this Chapter to devastating effect.
Truths revealed in the Plaza Hotel
- In the Plaza hotel, many truths emerge about Gatsby and Daisy’s love. This ignites further conflict between Tom and Gatsby, with the former trying to expose Gatsby’s life.
Michaelis’ testimony
- Michaelis’ testimony here is interesting because it allows a dispassionate look at the accident, without the intimate relationships of the characters being openly discussed.
Chapter Seven ending
- The ending seems to say, that despite everything, Tom and Daisy have come to an agreement to continue living together and that Gatsby’s love for her will now be forgotten. The same is not true of Gatsby, who finds it difficult to let go of Daisy.
Test yourself on Chapter Seven: Love & Historical Context
What does Gatsby struggle to accept in Chapter Seven?
What realisations do the characters have in Chapter Seven?
What features of Chapter Seven indicate that Gatsby and Daisy's love may have rekindled?
What does Tom learn or come to believe in Chapter Seven, increasing his anxiety?
Whose jealousy of Daisy is brought out in Chapter Seven?