Question

Question 14 of 25

In the middle chapters of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby
succeeds, at first, at winning Daisy's affections. How does this plot
development make the outcome of the novel ironic?
A. Daisy doesn't attend Gatsby's funeral.
OB. Tom confronts Gatsby about the affair.
OC. Gatsby tries and fails to recreate the past.
D. Daisy is cheating on her husband, Tom.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C. Gatsby tries and fails to recreate the past.

The plot development of Gatsby's winning Daisy's affection initially creates irony in the outcome of the novel. This is because, despite his efforts and temporary success, Gatsby ultimately fails in his attempt to recreate the past. Gatsby is driven by his love for Daisy and his desire to relive their past romantic relationship. However, he fails to recognize that time has changed both of them, and their past cannot be fully recreated.

The irony lies in the fact that despite Gatsby's wealth, extravagant parties, and his efforts to win Daisy over, he cannot sustain their rekindled relationship. The reality of the situation is that Daisy is unable to fully commit to leaving her husband, Tom Buchanan, and embracing a future with Gatsby. The past Gatsby longs for remains out of reach, leading to a tragic outcome.

The other options mentioned are not directly related to Gatsby's irony:

Daisy's not attending Gatsby's funeral is a consequence of his death and the crumbling of their relationship. However, it does not directly address the irony of his failed attempt to recreate the past.

B. Tom confronting Gatsby about the affair reveals the conflict between Gatsby and Tom. However, it does not specifically highlight Gatsby's irony.

The story of Daisy's infidelity with Gatsby is part of the novel's plot. However, it does not directly address the irony of Gatsby's unsuccessful attempt to recreate the past.

Answer 2

Gatsby's initial success in winning Daisy's affection is ironic because it leads to a tragic ending, highlighting the futility of trying to recreate the past and the emptiness of the American Dream in the 1920s.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the irony of the plot development is found in the fact that Gatsby's success in winning Daisy's affection is fleeting and ultimately leads to a tragic ending. The outcome is ironic because, despite his efforts, Gatsby cannot recreate the past, and his dream of being with Daisy is never fully realized. This is further underscored when Daisy does not attend Gatsby's funeral, highlighting the shallowness of her affections and Gatsby's failure to achieve his dream despite his initial success. Additionally, the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby lays bare the reality of the situation, marking the beginning of the end for Gatsby's ambitions. Fitzgerald's portrayal of Gatsby's rise and fall echoes the disillusionment with the American Dream, the corrupting influence of wealth, and the transient nature of love in the Roaring Twenties.