Haste and Misunderstandings

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

As the novel rapidly approaches its end, some huge events took place. For a time, the focus of the novel changed to examine Wilson. This man clearly was in agony over his wife's death. He was angry and vindictive. Whenever Michaelis asked a question, Wilson answered in a short abrupt manner. In a way, Wilson's responses reflect the way that his wife died: quickly and in anger. Due to his crazed and heartbroken state of mind, Wilson sought out the owner of the yellow car in search of revenge. "He murdered her" (Fitzgerald, 158). This misunderstanding that Gatsby was the driver cost Gatsby his life. Had Daisy told Tom that she drove the car, Tom might not have directed Wilson to Gatsby. Tom was just as mad at Gatsby as Wilson was because Tom loved Myrtle too. Tom felt that Gatsby deserved to die, even though Gatsby was innocent of killing Myrtle. In this section, people acted in haste. Decisions were not thought through, and tragedy resulted from hasty decisions. I think that Fitzgerald is trying to express to his readers to give time and think before acting. Nick, the most cautious character,  left the novel fairly unscathed. He lost Gatsby and his chance with Jordan; but Gatsby wasn't the best of friends, and other chances at relationships will come along. Other characters who generally made more abrupt decisions lost much more. After almost losing his wife to Gatsby, Tom lost mistress. In comparison, Wilson lost his wife to her affair and ultimately to death. After this, Wilson decided to take his own life, but not after avenging his wife's death. Gatsby, after five years of patient planning, made hasty decisions after reuniting with Daisy. These decisions ultimately led to his death. Had Gatsby not been so obvious about his love for Daisy, then he might not have been in the car with Daisy when it hit Myrtle. Making decisions without thinking them through came at great expense to these characters.