Roles Of Women In The Great Gatsby

“Sitting still and looking pretty”, may have been what women did during the 1920 or in the song by Daya, yet for others, this concept was aloof to the true meaning of * surviving womanhood. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, portrays a society in the 1920's, in which women were expected to conform to traditional gender roles and find self-identity through their domestic duties. Fitzgerald challenges this idea by using female characters to demonstrate how women could gain power by leveraging their bodies, whether through flirtation, sexuality, or athleticness. Through the characters of Daisy, Myrtle, and Jordan, Fitzgerald showcases how women could manipulate societal expectations to their advantage, while still living within the

As Fitzgerald notes, "there was an excitement in her voice” that she used to attract men as she “whispered ’Listen’” with a promise she “had done gay, exciting things” (Fitzgerald 9). This quote highlights the seductive power of Daisy’s voice and personality, and how she uses it to draw people towards her and make them believe that everything is alright. Through the diction of the word “listen,” people are drawn toward what she says, compelling them to be happy, and distracting from the true situation. The repetition of the word ’gay’ throughout Daisy’s dialog is meant to elicit the reaction of happiness from the people she talks with, bringing to light how happy every situation is. While Nick introduces Daisy’s character during their dinner party, “Daisy’s murmur was only to make people lean toward her; an irrelevant criticism that made it no less charming” (Fitzgerald 9). Daisy seeks the attention of those who surround her in an attempt for them to buy into the story she tells. Leading to her conforming to societal expectations, of getting married, having a child, and meeting the needs of her

As Tom’s mistress, Myrtle's physical beauty was used to lure him away from Daisy. Myrtle’s flirtatiousness came across to Nick during the dinner in the city, since “With the influence of the dress, her personality had also undergone a change.” When Myrtle wore the dresses and gifts that Tom had bought her, her personality “converted into impressive hauteur” (Fitzgerald 30) as she was full of arrogance although she was still a part of the lowly Valley of Ashes. Myrtle used Tom’s wealth, when she was with him, to improve her social standing and appear to a high class compared to the impoverished life she lived with George. Myrtle confesses to Nick that she was tricked into marrying her husband, George, “I married him because I thought he was a gentleman,” she said finally. “I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe” (Fitzgerald 34). This quote highlights Myrtle’s belief that her physical beauty entitles her to a certain lifestyle, and men should be willing to provide at the expense of her attention. By using the metaphor of licking my shoes, conveys how Myrtle perceived herself as above him. George had worn a borrowed suit the day of their wedding providing Myrtle a false reality of him as a ‘gentleman’. However, Myrtle’s belief in men ultimately proves to be a delusion, and her desire for power and social