Unrequited Love

all pictures from google images.

There are many instances where someone has loved another but didn't like them back. For example, in the "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, the main character, Jimmy Cross, loved a girl named Martha. He went to the war in Vietnam and received letters from her. However, the things she gave were one sided and meant only what it contained. Nothing more. Love can be rough when the person you like doesn't feel the same way. Another example, is in the movie, book, and musical "the Phantom of the Opera". The phantom haunts the Opera Populare where he secretly loves Christine Daae, an opera dancer/singer. His love for her becomes known and turns obsessive when he whisks her away into his lair under the opera house.

In the case of "The Great Gatsby", Jay Gatsby's love for Daisy Buchanan is still unrequited. He can't bring enough confidence to tell her his feelings. He hides inside his enormous mansion throwing parties in the hopes of her to come. Yet, he thinks if he does something wrong, Daisy will not show her face to him, even from afar. Unrequited love is very hurtful but at the same time brings a hope inside that the person who holds it can still be happy.

sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unrequited_love
"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien