Gender Roles In The Great Gatsby

F.Scott Fitzgerald wrote one of his best novels, The Great Gatsby, in 1925. This book came around during the Jazz Age. During this time flappers, coupes, and radio commercials became very popular. It was also the time when prohibition was repealed, and everyone was spending their money on alcohol. However, that was not the only thing people were doing in this era. Men were cheating on their wives everyday and participating in illegal activities. This book shows all the corruption that was happening in the mid to late twenties. In the book we see what is happening through Nick Carraway, the narrator. The book begins with Nick moving to a small house in Long Island, New York. His house was also located next to the biggest house in West Egg. Nick

He even bought the house across the bay from her house to keep an eye on her. Throughout the book it was clear that Gatsby would not let the past go and move on. Even though Daisy Buchanan was married to Tom and in love with Jay Gatsby, she was more focused on her status in society rather than her morals.

Throughout the book it is evident that Daisy only cared about her social status and money. That was common for most women in the 1920s. During that time period, gender roles were very strict, and if women did not follow the rules in the house the men would kick them out or abuse them. The women were often treated as objects with very little freedom. They were considered housewives that did not matter much, which is why they were treated so poorly. Women were often married for the security of wealth, even though they were unhappy. In opposition, the men could do whatever they pleased, they typically had many affairs throughout their marriage. Women’s purity and innocence were often shown through the color white. “Daisy dressed in white, and had a little white roadster and all day long the telephone rang in her house and excited young officers from Camp Taylor demanded the privilege of monopolizing her that

It was a healthy little boy named Christopher Buchanan. Pammy already fell in love with her new brother. As the baby continued to grow, a problem arose. Christopher does not look like Tom. This boy had bright blue eyes, a round head, and broad shoulders. Daisy starts to get worried that the kid is starting to look more and more like Gatsby. She hopes that Tom will not find out about her secret. Daisy brings Christopher over to Gatsby’s house. Daisy tells him the child is his, and he starts crying tears of joy. She tells Gatsby that Tom can not find out because that would ruin the family, and Pammy would be sad she no longer has a brother. Daisy and Gatsby agree that he can see the child whenever, as long as the secret stays safe. Christopher will eventually know the truth but not for a long