Examples Of Misogyny In The Great Gatsby

Misogyny, defined as the dislike of, contempt of, or prejudice against women is a common theme in older works of literature, and runs rampant throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Set in the roaring twenties with focus on the few wealthy elite and told through the eyes of unreliable narrator Nick Carroway, dozens of sexist remarks are made and no-one bats an eye because it was the norm, and was nearly expected of those with such status. The most obvious depictions of misogyny come from the treatment and description given of the female characters. Nearly all women in the novel are objectified and reduced to little more than either their physical attributes, or as status symbols for the men they are attached to. For example, Daisy

When first introduced, the focus is immediately on her looks. “Then I heard footsteps on a stairs, and in a moment the thickish figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door.” (Fitzgerald).While Tom is meeting his mistress, Nick focuses on her looks, instead of commenting on the situation, and that Tom is openly cheating on Daisy, who is Nick’s cousin, he instead insults the woman, but allows the situation to unfold regardless. This enforces a double standard set when gender roles and sexuality are involved. The men are allowed and even encouraged to pursue their desires and enjoy their extramarital affairs without any consequences, while the women involved end up punished for doing the same. Tom’s cheating is almost entirely ignored by all other characters, and he suffers no significant consequences for his repeated and constant affairs. However, when Daisy is caught out for being unfaithful, she is held responsible for the affair and ultimately punished for it when a fight breaks out amongst Gatsby, Tom and Daisy. Furthermore, Myrtle pays the ultimate price for her unfaithfulness. After seeing Tom and Jordan, who Myrtle assumes is Daisy, stop for gas in Gatsby's car, she becomes jealous and attempts to break out of the room George has locked her in. When she

The Great Gatsby also reinforces old attitudes about masculinity and power through Gatsby himself. His character is held up as on a pedestal of wealth and power, despite the fact his wealth and social status was built on illegal activities and Jay Gatsby is a persona he attempts to play in order to elevate himself on the social hierarchy. Further still, his pursuit of Daisy is symbolized as a heroic quest, attempting to portray him as a knight in shining armor. Completely disregarding his willingness to use violence and manipulation in order to achieve his