Claim: Daisy is in an abusive relationship because Tom shows ownership to her and he is also mentally abusive.
Evidence #1:
"Did you give Nick a little heart-to-heart talk on the veranda?" demanded Tom suddenly.
"Did I?" She looked at me. "I can't seem to remember, but I think we talked about the Nordic race. Yes, I'm sure we did. It sort of crept up on us and first thing you know–"
"Don't believe everything you hear, Nick," he advised me.
Warrant #1:
This quote shows that Tom does not want Daisy to tell anyone about their marriage and he was a little paranoid.
Evidence #2:
Before I could answer her eyes fastened with an awed expression on her little finger.
“Look!” she complained; “I hurt it.”
We all looked — the knuckle was black and blue.
“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 ——”
“I hate that word hulking,” objected Tom crossly, “even in kidding.”
Warrant #2:
These quotes shows that Tom is abusive because her knuckle was black and blue.Your knuckle can not get that bruised by an accident. Tom also gets angry when daisy brings this up.
Evidence #3:
“Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!” shouted Mrs. Wilson. “I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai ——”
Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.
Another Quote
“A week after I left Santa Barbara Tom ran into a wagon on the Ventura road one night, and ripped a front wheel off his car. The girl who was with him got into the papers, too, because her arm was broken — she was one of the chambermaids in the Santa Barbara Hotel.”
Warrant #3:
The first quote shows that Tom hit Myrtle when she was saying Daisy’s name. This shows he has a short temper and could most certainly be acting this way toward Daisy.
The second quote shows that Tom broke the chambermaid’s arm.
Rebuttal:
There are many signs in the novel that shows how Tom is abusive toward Daisy. He yells at her, puts her down, ignores her, and is physical.
According to Helpguide.org, signs of an abusive relationship includes yelling at a partner, humiliating a partner, ignoring or putting down a partner, blaming a partner, and seeing a partner as a sex object or their own property. Daisy also avoids certain topics because she is in fear to anger Tom.
Quote
"You're crazy!" he exploded. "I can't speak about what happened five years ago, because I didn't know Daisy then—and I'll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door. But all the rest of that's a God damned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now." (shows possession of Daisy)
Quote
"She's not leaving me!" Tom's words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. "Certainly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger.
"I won't stand this!" cried Daisy. "Oh, please let's get out." (another quote how Tom shows ownership)
Conclusion:
Tom and Daisy are obviously toxic for each other. Tom sees women as property and objects. He cheats on Daisy numerous of times and he does not stop. He also abuses not only Daisy, but other women such as his mistress Myrtle. Tom does not just abuse physically, but he abuses mentally as well. He puts down Daisy and ignores her all the time.
