Gender Inequality In The Great Gatsby

Money, marriage, and misery. The 1920’s is always associated with good times with endless parties. However with the money came misery, misery in marriage and their newly acquainted lifestyles. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, often mistaken as a great love story, has characters from all backgrounds, all unhappy. Contrary to people’s fixation on the American Dream, money could not buy happiness, but it could buy corruption. Misconceptions of the time during the time of the Harlem Renaissance can also be made, being full of new artistic culture, but also oppression and inequality. Although the 1920’s are normally associated with affluence and social dynamism, it was predominantly a time of hardship as shown through gender inequality, the …show more content…
Men remain dominant over women, restraining women from ever creating a name or even thinking for themselves. Upon leaving the Buchanan 's house after the unexpected phone call from Myrtle, Nick thought Daisy would run away with him (Fitzgerald). Despite being forced into her relationship with Tom, Daisy is unable to get out of the marriage because society expects her to stay, despite Tom’s inloyal behavior. During this time period divorce was taboo and it would not be taken well by society. If Daisy went against society’s notions, she would have lost her reputation and common respect. When telling Nick about her and Tom’s daughter, she mentions how she was disappointed it was a girl, saying, “I hope she 'll be a fool -that 's the best thing a girl can be in this world” (Fitzgerald 45). Living while being watched by society’s judgemental ideas, Daisy does not want her daughter to be subject to that. By being the fool society so praises, she would live a “happy” life. The time preaches that it is best for the man to do the work, while they sit back being a good hostess and mother. When looking at the one independent woman in the novel, Jordan, the portrayal is negative. Her success is thought to be only through cheating in accordance to Nick, showing the standard men hold to women. For a woman to be able to provide for herself is unheard of, and must not have been done right. During the 20’s, gender equality was a big issue. Women advocated for the appropriate rights, while men retaliated at the ungratefulness. Governor of Wyoming said girls are“fortunate in living in a day when practically every restraint is removed that could repress a girl’s happy spirit or handicap her progress” (Ross 1). A women getting a job or an education would supposebly just be a burden for her, and it is better for her to stay at home, where she is