F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby deals extensively with issues of class and gender identity, and the topic of invisibility is a central theme of his novel . In this case, Fitzgerald shows how societal expectations and the tight class structure of the time make women invisible through the portrayal of the novel's primary female characters. However, the novel reflects on the limitations imposed by society on individuals and the necessity of overcoming those limitations to have one's voice heard. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use the book as a basis for discussing how factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status affects the experience of being visible .
Jay Gatsby, the novel's protagonist, is a guy who made his way up from modest
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Gatsby admitted his invisibility in his own words:
"I have been everywhere, seen everything, done everything." He said, "I am the son of some affluent folks in the Middle West-all deceased now," illustrating how his history rendered him invisible to the upper class.
Other major female characters in the narrative have similar challenges, including Daisy and Jordan Baker. Daisy, a privileged young woman from a distinguished family, feels trapped by the constraints of society's expectations for women of her gender. Even though she has much money and high social standing, she is not recognized by her peers since they view her as a loving woman but also someone who is shy and needs love . Daisy boasted, "I have seen all there is to see and done everything there is something to do. That is sad because I feel like I have done everything. This comment, however, demonstrates how the individuals in Daisy's life fail to identify or even acknowledge her feelings and experiences. She continues, "I hope she will be a fool-the nicest thing a girl can be in this
In contrast, Jordan Baker is a woman who rejects norms and decides to live her life as