Discuss the gender gap in The Great Gatsby

The Roaring Twenties refers to the period of economic boom in the United States after
World War I. Written in 1925 and set in 1922, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a
novel that primarily captures the moral decay and the idealisation of the American Dream
that was prevalent in America during that era. Fitzgerald employs a peripheral narrator, Nick
Carraway to recount the story of his immensely wealthy and intriguing neighbour, Jay
Gatsby, and Gatsbys futile attempt to rekindle his love with Nicks married cousin, Daisy
Buchanan in the summer of 1922. Although Fitzgerald explores various themes such as the
decline of the American dream, the past, hope, and reality in the novel, one could argue that
the theme of gender roles is of the most significance to modern readers, because gender
inequality is still a universal problem at present. The theme of gender roles is connoted
through the part female characters play in the story, the contrasting characterisation of Daisy
and her friend Jordan Baker, and the societal expectations of a female as implied in the
novel.

Firstly, although the major conflict of the plot revolves around women, such as Myrtle
Wilsons extramarital affairs with Tom Buchanan - the husband of Daisy Buchanan -, and the
dispute between Tom and Gatsby for Daisys love, the absence and submissive position of
the female characters are noted throughout the whole novel. For example, at the beginning
of chapter one, Nick referred to Tom and Daisy as the Tom Buchanans when explaining
that the story really begins on the evening he had dinner with them. It is as if Daisy is a
physical part of Tom. This seemingly common remark therefore implies that married women
lose their identity when they marry, and are seen as the property of their husbands. In
addition, women are silenced when they oppose and display disobedience to the men. When
Myrtle expresses that she have a right to mention Daisys name in their house party and
repeatedly chants Daisys name, Tom became agitated and broke her nose with his open
hand. This incident exposes Toms supremacist attitude towards women and people of the
lower class, and his brutal nature. He is quick to establish dominance, even towards the
women he loves, often using his physical strength. It also serves to further exemplify the
gender inequality that exists in the patriarchal society of the fictional world of The Great
Gatsby, as well as the 1920s America.

Furthermore, the distinct portrayal of Daisy as the golden girl and her long-time friend
Jordan Baker as a cynical character to be frowned upon reveals that an acquiescent,
ethereal female is thought to be ideal during the time period the novel was set in. With a
name that reflects their respective personality, Daisy has a feminine, jubilant and positive
persona, while Jordan comes across as a cold, insolent and somewhat androgynous
character. The contrast in character between the two becomes more apparent when the way
they carry themselves is compared. Coming from a wealthy background a being married to
Tom, a man with immense family wealth, Daisy appears to be a typical wife of a traditional
upper-class man from the South. Her interaction with others intends to entertain, and are
generally vague and meaningless. According to Nick, she speaks in a singing compulsion,
and talks about vain things like being at a loss regarding what to plan for the longest day of
the year. However, Jordan is a professional golf player - a minority in the male-dominated
field of sports and an embodiment of the newly emerging short-haired, sporty and
independent female of the 1920s. As noted by Nick, she appears to be somewhat arrogant,
giving no hint of noticing Nicks entrance during their first encounter at the Buchanans
mansion, lying completely motionless and with her chin raised a little. She also exhibits
complete self-sufficiency, which draws a stunned tribute from him. Nicks reaction and later,
his criticism on Jordans lack of femininity suggests that independence and disregard to the
men is not a desirable quality in a woman.

Lastly, through the subtle implications of the societal standards females are expected to
conform to, the aforementioned ideal image of a female is emphasised. From Daisys wish
for her daughter, Pammy, to be a beautiful little fool because it is the best thing a girl can
be in this world, readers can come to understand that female was expected to be compliant
in the American society during the 1920s. Being aware that she cannot escape the gender
inequality she is subjected to, Daisy perhaps reasons that by remaining ignorant, Pammy will
be oblivious to the gender bias she is going to face when she grow up, and be saved from
the pain of trying to defy the social norms. Moreover, Jordans description of Daisys past
indicates that females of marrying age, especially those that comes from the upper-class
are to be introduced into the society in a debutante ball, and marry a man of same or higher
social class to secure the old money from which they come from. It is later revealed in
chapter eight that Daisy married Tom because of his social position and money. These
coming-of-age rituals for a female evinces that the society dictates that women must rely
on a man to survive, and does not recognise individuality in a woman.

Overall, through neglecting the female characters in the novel, presenting Daisy and Jordan
as the foil of each other and hinting the unsaid social conduction female must abide by,
Fitzgerald uncovers the gender inequality in the 1920s American society. He also captures
the essence of the decade and the beginning of feminist movements, as manifested by the
avant-garde style of fashion and living Jordan adopt to.