In the novel "The Great Gatsby", Daisy Buchanan was faced with an enormous decision.

She had to choose between Tom; her husband and Jay Gatsby; her lover. Gatsby seemed

to be the ideal man of his time. Fabulously wealthy, handsome, charismatic and

intriguing, he seemed to be able to offer everything a woman could want. All he wanted

in return was Daisy's complete unconditional love. Tom, on the other hand could offer

Daisy money, security and freedom. Ultimately Daisy chose the latter.

The roaring 20's was an era of total decadence. The first World War had ended and industry was booming. People were becoming millionaires overnight. There seemed to be no end in sight to the prosperity. Although people were becoming rich quickly, old money provided more privilege than new money.

Tom Buchanan came from old money. He was a Westerner who was renowned in college for both his football skills and his supremely decadent lifestyle. The narrator states "His family were enormously wealthy, even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach-but now he'd left Chicago and come East in a

In terms of security, Tom could offer much more than Gatsby. Tom's old money could offer Daisy prestige and social position whereas Gatsby's money was quickly and somewhat questionably earned. Everyone including Daisy realized that it could be just as quickly lost. Tom states "I found out what your drug-stores were. He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter" . Tom also said "That drug-store business was just small change but you've got something on now that Walter's afraid to tell me about." This proves that Gatsby's money was achieved through corrupt means and his lack of position would leave him vulnerable to prosecution if he were to be caught. On the other hand, Daisy and Tom's elite position in society enabled them to "get away with murder". They were able to move away and start anew after hitting Myrtle in the car.

Daisy's selection of Tom over Gatsby afforded a somewhat unorthodox freedom. Tom had many mistresses but always returned to Daisy. He said "Once in a while I go off and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all

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Approximate Word count = 783
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)