When Gatsby declares that Daisy "never loved" Tom and asks Daisy to tell Tom this, Daisy answers indirectly and then later says "I never loved him," but with "perceptible reluctance." Why does Daisy answer indirectly and then state this reluctantly? Why does Gatsby need her to say this? Explain.

Daisy at first answered indirectly and then admitted with reluctance which shows her indecisive nature and the dilemma she was put in between Jay and Tom. Also, she had loved both men and didn't seem to want to lose either one.

Jay Gatsby's need to hear the words from Daisy's mouth shows his need of validation and support from the very person he was referring to, who was 'supposedly' with him.

Explanation:

In Chapter 7 of the text "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the scene where Tom, Daisy, Jay, Nick and Jordan were in the room above the ballroom. This scene reveals the conflict between the couple, Jay's wants f reassurance and Daisy's confusing nature.

When Jay asked Daisy to tell her husband Tom that she never really loved him, she indirectly said it, "Why,-how could I love him-possibly?" and then with "perceptible reluctance" said "I never loved him". This reluctance on daisy's part shows the inconclusive nature of her choice, her inability to make up her mind and her indecisiveness in what she wants.

On the other hand, Gatsby kept on stating the fact that she doesn't love Tom and telling her to say it out loud shows his need of assurance and validation from Daisy. Even he seemed to know of Daisy's dilemma in choosing her side, and also it shows his need to be wanted and loved by the very girl who had left him.