In Grace Paley’s piece, Faith boldly declares her love for three different men. To this, her father becomes agitated, asking, “What did your mother and me do? We only tried to do our best”(280). First, the statement is potent as, several moments prior, Mr. Darwin acknowledges his ambivalence towards his “marriage” with his wife.  Thus, Paley seems to be playing with the theme of perception, asking, how could Mr. Darwin be so blind to his own actions?  Further, this quotation is also powerful as it ponders themes of parenting, posing the question, do Mr. Darwin’s actions truly affect Faith’s love life?

Ultimately, in The Great Gatsby, how does Fitzegerald respond to these questions regarding perception and parenthood? Would he answer them differently from Paley?