The End of Problems?

The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

As chapter seven comes to a close, I am left knowing that Daisy killed Myrtle in a hit and run outside Wilson's garage.  Although she was a minor character, Myrtle has caused many problems throughout this novel. She was the reason for Tom's infidelity, and rumors of their affair may have led Daisy to feel that a relationship with Gatsby was acceptable.

Now that Myrtle is dead, problems still exist. Daisy could go to jail if people find out that she was driving the car. In addition, Tom feels more hatred toward Gatsby because he thinks that Gatsby was driving the car that killed Myrtle. Even though Myrtle is dead, I think that problems involving her will still persist in the future. 

Myrtle's death is significant for other reason's as well. Now that Myrtle is dead, Tom no longer has a mistress to divert his attention from his wife. I think that now, in light of the events of this chapter, Tom will be prepared and completely willing to fight for Daisy's love. I think that even if Tom discovers that Daisy was driving the car, his relationship with Daisy will improve. Tom already lost one woman that he loved; I doubt that he will lose Daisy too.

Finally, I think that Myrtle's death foreshadows the end of Daisy's relationship with Gatsby. Even though Gatsby loves Daisy enough to take the blame for the accident, I think that Daisy will choose to stay with her husband. Myrtle's death could represent the end of infidelity in Tom and Daisy's marriage. Daisy might not love Tom as much as she loved Gatsby, but this could have been the result of Tom's rumored affair. Perhaps now Tom will be more devoted to Daisy, and this devotion could reignite Daisy's love for Tom. I wonder who she will choose. 

One final question. Did Daisy know that Myrtle was Tom's mistress? "Well first Daisy turned away from the woman toward the other car, and then she lost her nerve and turned back"(Fitzgerald, 143). This sounds like Daisy hit Myrtle on purpose. Did she?