The Great Gatsby
Storyboard Text
- Slide: 2
- This scene concerns the motif of alcoholism and tertiary character Daisy Buchanan. Daisy sits drunk in her hotel room the night before her wedding. She clutches a letter, (implied to be from Gatsby) while Jordan Baker and a maid try to reassure her. The motif of drinking highlights Daisy's loss of self control, revealing the pressure she feels to conform to a life she does not truly desire. Daisy, a woman who tends to keep her composure "began to cry--she cried and cried" (Fitzgerald Ch. 4). This quote exemplifies how alcohol stripped away the facade Daisy had been upholding, therefore exposing her regret. The pearls (website does not have) symbolize Daisy's wealth and the expectations that are forced upon her. The letter (website does not have) represents the love she is about to abandon. Instead of facing her emotions, Daisy is physically and symbolically put back together, ensuring she will follow through with the wedding.
- Slide: 3
- Daisy's drunken breakdown raises questions about her agency and the role of privilege in shaping her choices. Does she truly lack control, or does she choose comfort over love? Alcohol in this scene acts as both an escape, and a method of control. Daisy does not drink too often, however we see that in this scene, she felt it was the only way for her to be able to feel something one last time before making this life altering decision she deep down knows is wrong. Jordan and the maid sober Daisy up to ensure that Daisy follows through with the wedding. This moment reflects the broader theme of how the wealthy avoid problems and feelings by using money, and social expectations to erase any emotional turmoil. Instead of making the difficult decision and following her heart, Daisy allows herself to be coaxed back into the life she was expected to live. Is Daisy a victim of societal pressure, or does she willingly surrender to it?
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