A4 Great Gatsby Role of Women

ROLE OF WOMEN
in
THE GREAT GATSBY

Main Female Characters:
	DAISY BUCHANAN
	JORDAN BAKER
	MYRTLE WILSON

Society and Female Freedom in the 1920s
	Around this era, the female population of America gained freedom that was never before seen in a major scale anywhere on America’s timeline. Not only did the American women gain their right to vote in 1902, 	they also began to be accepted into higher governmental positions, although at a later stage. 
In 1920, women were granted equal pay and job opportunities through legislation, meaning that women were not subjected to just domestic work or factory labour.

Corruption (from Freedom)
	Women could expand, as well, from the absence of men due to the war. Young women were getting more education. More and more women began to smoke, drink and were more promiscuous than they used to be. It was this particular freedom that F. Scott Fitzgerald honed on in his book. 
The society is shallow: “I told that boy about the ice…These people! You have to keep after them all the time.” – shows that Myrtle tries to hide her economic situation through a stuck-up personality. “Are you in love with me?” – shows Daisy is aware of her effect on men. “She got up and went over to Gatsby…kissing him…” – suggest Daisy is lustful OR making Gatsby lust after her.
Lies: Jordan – cheats to win tournament, borrows a car out in the rain with the top down then lies about it, knows about Tom’s affair but does not tell Daisy 
She lies to defend their status -> Fitzgerald shows that they value their (outer) appearances rather than (inner) moral values.

Marriage and Wealth
	The women in The Great Gatsby were somewhat defined by their husbands. Daisy - fights against her urge for love towards Gatsby in order to be rich. Therefore, she marries Tom Buchanan, who was extremely wealthy and was very accomplished at a young age. Myrtle - desirous of a life full of pleasure and riches, but she marries George Wilson, a lifeless, lower class mechanic living in the Valley of Ashes. She attempts to carry out her dreams by chasing Tom Buchanan, who is more secure in terms of finances.
	Men, on the other hand, can shape their lives as they please. (Nick - free to look for the right career, Gatsby - able to fulfil his dream of becoming wealthy, Tom - abuses his strength and economic status)
Wealth removes sanctity of marriage: Although Tom was seen as abusive and demanding towards the women in his relationships, the (urgency for money/materialism) basically locks these women under his control. (Daisy - bruised fingers, Myrtle – broken nose)
	Fitzgerald shows that, although they had attained freedom on a large scale, women still faced dilemmas regarding their own personal freedoms (i.e. tied down by wealth) 
“She’s not leaving me… Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger!” – shows that, for Tom, that money is the ultimate symbol of marriage.

Love and Forgiveness
	Love is almost so closely tied together with Wealth and Sex in the minds of the women in this era in that it has essentially lost its meaning. “She wanted her life shaped now, immediately--and the decision must be made by some force--of love, of money, of unquestionable practicality” - shows that Daisy had married for money and security, suggesting Tom bought her. “Tell ‘em all Daisy’s change’ her mine” -  she only loves Gatsby (even if her marriage was “unquestionable practicality”). Although the men aren’t exempt from this, they, in the book, showed truer love than the women ever did. George Wilson - “He had discovered that Myrtle had some sort of life apart from him in another world, and the shock had made him physically sick” - shows that, for George, marriage is so much more than just sex and money; it’s about the joining of two lives. It also shows that George truly loves Myrtle but this isn’t reciprocal. Gatsby - consistently lies in order to get Daisy’s favor (basically ever since they’ve met) 
Forgiveness:  “Go on. He won’t annoy you. I think he realises that his presumptuous little flirtation is over.” - shows that Tom easily forgives Daisy since the marriage and her love are insignificant for him. Gatsby, on the other hand, doesn’t forgive her for keeping her allegiance to Tom, since HE truly loves her.