The Great Gatsby - Theme

"She had a fight with a man who says he's her husband," explained a girl at my elbow. I looked around. Most of the remaining women were now having fights with men said to be their husband." pg 51

In the beginning of the novel, we see the conflict between Daisy and her husband, Tom, because of his mistress. Although in our world today it's greatly looked down upon, the people in this day in age seem to care less. The passage above occurs during one of Gatsby's great parties, where all the men and women are quarreling with one another. It is the second occurance where conflict between husband and wife arises. These two specific events in the novel illustrate the strain on relationships during these times, but also shows that there is more social acceptance of this occurring then.

"Yeah." He flipped up his sleeves under his coat. "Gatsby's very careful about women. He would never so much as look at a friend's wife." pg 72

This excerpt from Meyer Wolfsheim also contributes to the constant theme of relationships and mistress' in this time period. Gatsby's outlook on the matter is more similar to the social acceptance today than back then. It may foreshadow an event to come between Gatsby and another's wife.