Whitty 1

Kayla Whitty

Mr. Pace

Honors Lit & Comp

December 21, 2022

Liberated or Repressed

During the 1920s, contrasting ideas about gender roles emerged in society. With the

ratification of the nineteenth amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote, the "roaring

twenties" became a period not only characterized by carefree living but also by women asserting

their own power. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, presents an exaggerated depiction

of this era, showcasing two conflicting aspects of gender dynamics in relationships. However, it

falls short of providing an accurate representation of the time and creates a paradoxical view of

itself as the story unfolds.

Despite women supposedly being considered equal citizens under the law, the 1920s

served as a transitional phase where many clung to traditional societal standards that viewed

women as possessions of men. Jordan Baker stands out as a character who defies these norms.

Witnessing Daisy being treated as an exchangeable object by Tom impacts Jordan's perception of

gender and women's societal position (Froehlich). Jordan feels responsible for Daisy's unhappy

marriage but also finds a way to assert her own independence, even though society does not

readily accept it. The novel implies through Nick's narration that women's independence is not

widely recognized. Nick himself sees Daisy and Tom as a unified entity, indicating the prevailing

notion that married women belong to their husbands. This perspective is further evident when

Nick becomes involved with Myrtle, disregarding how it would hurt Daisy. The book portrays

infidelity as more acceptable for men while shaming Daisy for attempting to free herself from a
 Whitty 2

consistently unfaithful spouse. Both sources highlight the idea that women were perceived as

their husbands' property, but Froehlich demonstrates how Jordan begins to forge her own path,

independent of men. However, with Jordan as the only confident and independent character, The

Great Gatsby fails to accurately represent the significant changes taking place during that time.

Fitzgerald overlooks the social transformation of the 1920s, rendering the story an inaccurate

reflection of the era.

Fitzgerald's perspective shaped the book, projecting a belief that women could never be

enough in a male-dominated world. Despite the significant changes occurring in the 1920s,

Fitzgerald failed to recognize their significance or incorporate them into his writing of The Great

Gatsby. His male perspective reflected a sense of ambivalence and a persistent fear that the

freedom embodied by flappers and the shift in American mores would lead to moral anarchy and

a lack of direction (Maclean). Flappers, characterized as flirtatious and unconventional,

challenged traditional ideas of life pursuit, marriage, and motherhood. However, Fitzgerald,

along with others, viewed women's freedom as a misstep, suggesting they were incapable of

making decisions for themselves. Daisy's comment about her daughter exemplifies Fitzgerald's

portrayal of women as limited to finding husbands and implies that a girl's best course is to be a

beautiful fool, subject to male authority (Fitzgerald 17). This perspective fails to acknowledge

the progress made by women during that time. Although gender equality had not been fully

achieved, the 1920s represented a period of adjustment and social reform that allowed women to

strive for independence. Even in an unequal society, neglecting the events unfolding around her

would not benefit Daisy's daughter. Both sources corroborate each other, suggesting that the

1920s were a time of rebellion rather than actual change. They demonstrate that Fitzgerald's
 Whitty 3

portrayal of gender roles in The Great Gatsby does not accurately reflect the realities of the

1920s, creating a false impression of relationships and dependency.

Despite initially presenting a narrative of female inferiority, Fitzgerald introduces

paradoxical arguments that challenge the notion that women were mere possessions of men.

Although women fought for their inclusion in society, many still resisted these changes, leading

to the formation of new organizations that accounted for women's roles. The Women of the Ku

Klux Klan (WKKK), established in 1923, saw many women, emancipated by voting rights and

relaxed social norms, independently joining and embracing their own views (Blee). This

contradicts earlier chapters of The Great Gatsby that homogenized women with their male

counterparts. Fitzgerald primarily focuses on women as possessions, even as the 1920s witnessed

women asserting their power, which should not be underestimated. Throughout the novel,

George Wilson, Myrtle's husband, is depicted as someone trapped by circumstances. Even if he

does not love Myrtle, he still considers her his possession, while others view him as "His wife's

man and not his own" (Fitzgerald 136). Without Myrtle, George feels powerless, and her

existence symbolizes something he can exert control over due to their lack of financial means.

However, Myrtle appears to hold the power in the relationship, reminiscent of Tom's dominance

over Daisy. Both Tom and Myrtle openly engage in affairs and act independently without seeking

their partners' consent. Fitzgerald maintains a fixed perception of gender roles in the 1920s,

contradicting his later statements. The Great Gatsby portrays women as extensions of their

husbands, with Jordan Baker being the sole character potentially representing how some women

may have felt after the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. Blee's research highlights

women's empowerment, but Fitzgerald, even when placing power in women's hands, fails to

undermine the dominance men hold. The conflicting quotes in the book suggest that Fitzgerald
 Whitty 4

recognized a shift in societal dynamics but still perceived men as dominant. By suggesting

Myrtle holds power, Fitzgerald creates a paradox within his own argument that women can only

be recognized through men, although both assertions exaggerate the reality of the time period

and fail to represent the 1920s as a whole.

While F. Scott Fitzgerald's creation, The Great Gatsby, has endured and been revered

across generations, his personal views on gender roles in the 1920s hindered his ability to

accurately depict the role of gender during that time. Thus, the novel not only presents a

paradoxical view of the 1920s but also contradicts itself by implying that some women

eventually achieved independence or dominance in relationships, despite Fitzgerald's initial

sympathy for women's lack of independence.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2020.

Froehlich, Maggie Gordon. "Jordan Baker, Gender Dissent, and Homosexual Passing in The

Great Gatsby." Children's Literature Review, edited by Jelena Krstovic, vol. 176, Gale,

2013. Gale Literature Resource Center,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1420110010/LitRC?u=mlin_n_newhigh&sid=bookmark-LitRC

&xid=c407ca7e. Accessed 11 Dec. 2022. Originally published in Space Between, vol. 6,

no. 1, 2010, pp. 81-103.

"Kathleen M. Blee." Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors, Gale, 2016. Gale Literature
Resource Center,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/H1000150722/LitRC?u=mlin_n_newhigh&sid=bookmark-LitRC
&xid=ce1a7355. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
Maclean, Rose. "A Petronian brothel in The Great Gatsby." Ancient Narrative, vol. 13, annual

2016, pp. 17+. Gale Literature Resource Center,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A485672639/LitRC?u=mlin_n_newhigh&sid=bookmark-LitRC

&xid=ce39ccff. Accessed 11 Dec. 2022.