The Great Gatsby Gender Analysis

The Great Gatsby is set in the roaring 20s, a period of excitement, where music, dance, and wealth flourished across the U.S. The energy and exhilaration of the period can most clearly be seen in New York City, coincidentally where this novel takes place. The individuals in The Great Gatsby seem to take a part in this “thrill seeking” attitude of the 1920s and when doing so, they tend to collect things that appeal to them and are suitable for their self enjoyment. However, women at the time experienced inequality in society, creating a divide in motivation between the male and female characters when they attempt to collect. While the male character’s collections may mirror the female’s, their motivation for collecting is what ultimately distinguishes the two

They wish to collect things that give them power that they can feel. They care much less of what others think of them and instead focus on what brings them the most superiority and dominance in their collections. Tom is a great example. It can be reasonably inferred that Tom collects women. Whether he marries them or not, he still forms relationships with these women in order to feel more masculine. Tom has been married to Daisy for three years and has had a child with her, yet still goes on to have an affair with another woman. Not many individuals regard adultery highly but even so, Tom carries on with his endeavors without caring for his appearance in society. The common knowledge of Tom’s affair can be seen when Jordan states, “You mean to say you don’t know?’ said Miss Baker, honestly surprised. ‘I thought everybody knew.’ … ‘Tom’s got some woman in New York” (18). Tom knows that his affair is apparent, but it does not phase him so long as his personal feelings of dominance are not compromised. Therefore, Tom collects women for himself to feel powerful and masculine, rather than appearing powerful to