Motif / Theme

"There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired"
"And Daisy ought to have something in her life." (pg 79)

If I was to choose a reoccurring theme or motif within the novel thus far, it would be that of broken relationships. It seems that most, if not all relationships Nick describes are dismal, dying, or nonexistent. Nick himself does not have a significant other. Although I am convinced he feels very strongly for Jordan Baker, he does little to make it known. Nick states at some point in the story that he had a girlfriend. However he admits that after a few days he "let it [the relationship] blow quietly away" (pg 57). This is not the only instance where a broken relationship is described. The marriage between Tom and Daisy is falling apart. Nick states: "It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms- but apparently there were no such intentions in her head." (pg 20) This shows that Daisy and Tom are still together even though they would be better off apart. All of this is brought about due to Tom having a Mistress. Similarly, Tom's Mistress, Myrtle, is having problems in her marriage. Myrtle says, "The only crazy I was was when I married him [George]. I knew right away I made a mistake." (pg 35)
Finally, the narrator even describes a scene between two strangers (I believe this is the only time he describes a couple at Gatsby's party): "One of the men was talking with curious intensity to a young actress, and his wife, after attempting to laugh at the situation in a dignified and indifferent way, broke down entirely and resorted to flank attacks- at intervals she appeared suddenly at his side like an angry diamond, and hissed: 'You promised!" into his ear"
In all of these cases, not one positive, strong and happy marriage. I think this is the theme of the story because the narrator has continuously described only negative relationships and no positive ones. And all of these broken relationships are what have been moving the story/plot along so far.