Daisy Buchanan’s real response to the party, as described by Nick Carraway in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby,’ is one of disappointment and disillusionment. Although outwardly she tries to appear joyous and engaged in the festivities, internally, she finds the extravagance and chaos of Gatsby’s party to be overwhelming and somewhat distasteful.
Nick observes that Daisy does not truly belong in this world of excess and superficiality. During the party, she seems uneasy and distracted, unable to fully enjoy the lavishness around her. This is reflective of her character’s deeper values and desires, which are not aligned with the opulence that Gatsby represents. In one poignant moment, she expresses her feelings about the party by stating that it is ‘wonderful’ yet looks for something that transcends what is presented before her.
This reaction highlights the theme of unfulfilled dreams and the contrast between illusion and reality, which is central to the novel. Daisy’s superficial charm masks a deeper longing for authenticity, and her reaction to the party serves as a reminder of her conflicted identity and the emptiness that often accompanies the American Dream.