TomhitsMyrtle - Ella Serpell and Jason Gu English 11 Tr....

Ella Serpell and Jason Gu
English 11
Tr. Suzanne M
November 20th, 2014
Tom hits Myrtle
Thesis: There are many moments prior to the incident in which Fitzgerald has built up the
emotions and relationships that add up to making this an angry and violent scene.
Quote: (Tom) Page 12 “‘you did it, Tom,' she said accusingly. ‘I know you didn't mean to,
but you did do it. That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking physical
specimen of a– '”
Analysis: This is a scene in which Daisy accuses Tom of bruising her pinky. It is a
moment early in the book when we hear that Tom has hurt daisy before. The fact that Daisy says
he didn't mean to means that he doesn't know his own strength but also that he can be violent and
forceful at times. We never find out what interaction hurt Daisy’s finger, but unless it was a
purposeful grab (which daisy doesn't seem to think it is) it must have been an overly forceful but
seemingly normal action. This implies to me that he meant to hit myrtle, to stop her in their fight