Through the perspective of Nick, the innocence represented by a daisy is explored. All flowers have their own meanings, and one such meaning is linked to the innocence that a daisy symbolizes. The origins of this significance can be traced back to maidens who used to pick and adorn their hair with daisies. These maidens believed that the flower embodied a sense of liberation from wrongdoing, sin, and corruption. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, both Daisy (the character) and daisies (the flowers) carry immense importance, along with the recurring colors yellow and white which serve as visual elements reflecting various aspects of life within the story.
Fitzgerald provides an explanation of the book using the symbolism and meaning of colors, adding a deeper and hidden significance that requires searching for it. Within the narrative, there is a town known as “The Valley of Ashes,” a desolate and bleak place. However, the narrator, Nick, highlights one particular detail worth noting: “The eyes Of Doctor T. J. Cocklebur are blue and gigantic-their retinas are one yard high. They kick out Of no face but, instead, from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a nonexistent nose” (Fitzgerald 27).
The watchful “eyes” of God oversee “The Valley of Ashes” and serve as a comforting presence, reminding people not to lose hope. The yellow “spectacles” observe all the detestable events that occur, leading the characters to wonder if their misfortunes were inevitable. Ultimately, they are reminded that they are under constant surveillance from God’s gaze, characterized by the surrounding yellow hue.
The doctors and therapists prove the anxiety-producing nature of yellow, asserting that its fast movement can agitate us. Personally, I perceive yellow as an evil color, especially when unexpected situations arise. Throughout the story, yellow often describes the occurrences of various problems and predicaments. Once Gatsby and Daisy reunited after a long separation since his time as an officer, Gatsby began hosting extravagant parties. Eventually, Gatsby managed to persuade Daisy to attend one of these gatherings, and their alone time together ignited an indescribable feeling of joy in Gatsby’s life.
Despite making it seem okay in his heart to lie about the past, Gatsby was always wanting more. During the party, Tom interrupted Daisy and Nick’s conversation by asking Daisy a question. Daisy replied, saying “go ahead, and if you want to take down any addresses here’s my little gold pencil…”. Nick observed that after a moment, Daisy looked around and informed him that the “girl was common but pretty” and that she hadn’t been having a good time except for the half hour she spent alone with Gatsby (Fitzgerald 1 12).
This is the essence of what the color yellow signifies to me. Daisy’s desire is not to be with Tom, but instead she aspires to be with Jay Gatsby, a longing that has always been present. When Tom flirts with another woman, Daisy’s only wish is to be with Gatsby because he brings her happiness and serves as her means of escape. Whenever she is around Tom, she hides her wicked nature behind a veil of innocence and purity in order to appear “perfect” to him. In Daisy’s world, nothing is flawless; her life is filled with deceit as both her husband betrays her and she betrays him in return. Furthermore, she must set a positive example for their daughter. Tom engages in an extramarital affair with Myrtle, who happens to be married.
George Wilson, the owner of a car garage in “The Valley of Ashes,” is depicted as having innocent light blue eyes. Unfortunately, Myrtle manipulates his kindness and love for her to engage in affairs with Tom on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Daisy and Jay form a romantic connection and also have what could be considered an affair. Tom, Daisy, and Jay travel to New York City to expose the love between Gatsby and Daisy. The outcome of this meeting leaves everyone distraught, particularly Daisy who drives Gatsby’s car. Tragically, Myrtle mistakenly runs in front of the car, thinking it is Tom’s vehicle, but Daisy does not stop and ends up killing her before fleeing the scene.
It was highly ironic that Daisy assaulting Myrtle occurred because Tom was involved in a romantic relationship with Myrtle. Although Daisy was unaware of the affair, if she had known about it she would likely have desired to harm Myrtle. When Tom arrived at the Willow’s garage, he encountered a police officer who had obtained a statement from an African American individual who described the car involved in the incident by saying, “It was a yellow car. Big yellow car. New. The car overtook me on the road, going faster than forty. Going fifty, sixty” (Fitzgerald 147). This yellow car referred to Gatsby’s vehicle and vividly explained why Daisy was driving it. Having a yellow muscle car was a catastrophe waiting to happen, which ultimately revealed Daisy’s true nature.
Torn entered the garage and exclaimed, “There’s some bad trouble here.” Standing on his tiptoes, he looked over a group of people towards the garage, which was illuminated solely by a swinging wire basket overhead, emitting a yellow light (Fitzgerald 145). Wilson is an affectionate and caring man, but after his wife’s demise, he experiences a surge of revenge. This is exemplified by the yellow light in his garage, indicating that anyone can become upset or angry and react impulsively. Consistent with a website discussing the significance of colors, they state, “Yellow facilitates clear thinking and quick decision-making, but it can also lead to impulsivity” (The Color Yellow).
Daisy’s anger towards her fight with Tom and Gatsby possibly prevented her from stopping the car or made her too frightened. This is why she struck Myrtle and continued driving. Nevertheless, Daisy’s indifference towards others and their emotions is evident. While researching flowers, I discovered that Daisies symbolize innocence, loyal love, secrecy, purity, unconditional love, beauty, and simplicity (Strife). The theme of innocence resonates throughout The Great Gatsby. During the hotel conversation between Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom regarding their relationships, Daisy attempts to portray herself as the virtuous individual while Jay and Tom engage in banter.
Tom compliments Gatsby on his unique expression, referring to his frequent use of “old sport.” Daisy interrupts, expressing her annoyance with Tom’s personal remarks and indicating her desire to avoid any conversation about Gatsby. This attempt at avoidance stems from her reluctance to confront her true feelings for Gatsby and the reality of their relationship. Additionally, another instance highlighting Daisy’s innocence occurs when Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy for tea. Nick relays the invitation, cautioning Daisy not to bring Tom. Daisy, seemingly unaware of who Tom is, innocently inquires about his identity. This raises the question of whether Daisy’s query was genuine or part of her innocent demeanor. Notably, various other instances of innocence are depicted throughout the story, not limited to Daisy alone. According to research conducted by philosophers, white represents purity and is associated with concepts such as virginity, kindness, and perfection.
Throughout the book, Daisy is frequently shown wearing white, symbolizing her innocence, purity, and kindness. When Nick first visits Tom and Daisy’s house, he is struck by the flawless appearance of Daisy and her friend Jordan. He describes them as sitting on a large couch, perfectly still like an anchored balloon, with their white dresses rippling and fluttering as if they had just returned from a brief flight around the house (Fitzgerald 12).
Daisy’s actions in the book suggest a complete selflessness, neglecting her own feelings. However, I see this as an artificial facade, envisioning Daisy as a flower with a hidden true self behind a white barrier, symbolizing her fake persona. According to an expert in color symbolism, “White clothing typically becomes translucent when wet” (Smith). This resemblance can be compared to a window where the other side remains hidden in darkness, leading one to assume what lies beyond. Yet when illuminated, the truth is revealed, debunking the initial illusion.
Daisy’s actions had become incredibly selfish. She was responsible for Myrtle’s death in Gatsby’s car, which led George to believe that Gatsby had killed her and had an affair with her as well. Gatsby was eagerly waiting for a call from Daisy, informing him of her plan to run away with him. All of this chaos stemmed from the destruction Daisy caused in the lives of those around her, including the harm she was about to bring upon Jay. George set out on a search for the man connected to “the yellow cafe,” referred to by Nick as “It was after we moved into Gatsby’s house that the gardener discovered Willow’s body not far away in the grass, and everything went up in flames” (Fitzgerald 170).
Despite Daisy’s innocent appearance and her propensity for wearing white, she will forever be seen in a different light. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of daisy flowers and the colors white and yellow has shifted my perspective on them. Initially, Daisy was a cherished character to me, known for her liveliness and honesty. However, upon delving deeper into the symbolism of yellow and white and the examination of people’s eye colors throughout the book, I reconsidered how Daisy is perceived. Each person possesses elements of ‘YelloW’ within them, whether they acknowledge it or not. Nevertheless, not everyone strives to make others miserable.
Gatsby’s sole desire was for Daisy to love him. He dedicated his life and way of living to her, while she manipulated his emotions and finances. Although Gatsby did make poor choices, such as engaging in bootlegging and fabricating his past and achievements, it is unfathomable that someone could be responsible for another person’s death, yet show no concern and carry on as if Gatsby never existed – just as Daisy did.
