Women of the 1920s differed by social status, power complex, and values. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, explains the murder of James Gatz, more commonly known as Jay Gatsby, from the point of view of Nick Carraway, Gatsby’s neighbor and friend. The novel introduces the worst people in the highest social class of the time. The women in the novel personify the worst qualities in women of the 20s; the women are manipulative, ignorant, and narcissistic. All three women are manipulative but in different ways. Daisy uses her “love” to control the men in her life. Tom Buchanan, Daisy’s husband, and Jay Gatsby’s, Daisy’s suitor, argue about who Daisy loves more in the presence of Nick Carraway, Daisy, and Jordan Baker. “I’ve
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Daisy was fully aware of Tom’s unfaithfulness but was willfully ignorant. Daisy demonstrates her knowledge of Tom’s cheating after she finally spoke up to Tom and Gatsby in their dispute over her love. As Daisy quietly commented, “Do you know why we left Chicago? I’m surprised they didn’t treat you to the story of that little spree” (131). Tom cheated on Daisy several times; Daisy looked the other way every time. Daisy’s dependence on Tom is the root of her ignorance. When she planned to run off with Gatsby, she brought up his unfaithfulness toward her. Daisy‘s ignorance surprised everyone but her willing ignorance surprised Tom the most. Without Tom, Daisy had no one to supply for her so she either needed a new supporter, which is where Gatsby comes into her life, so she does not have to fend for herself and support her expensive lifestyle on a salary of a woman in the 20s which was next to nothing if she had the skills for a job. Myrtle’s ignorance is to also gain wealth but not because she needs to survive on Tom’s funds but because she desires the higher class life. After the dinner party with Myrtle’s friends and family, Myrtle’s ignorance about how harshly Tom treats her is demonstrated in front of Nick. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy 's name. ‘Daisy! Daisy! …show more content…
Daisy is displaying her daughter who is being raised by the nanny. “I got dressed before the luncheon’, said the child, before turning eagerly to Daisy. ‘That’s because your mother wanted to show you off” (117). Daisy’s daughter’s purpose is to demonstrate how Daisy’s heartless selfishness takes time away from raising her daughter. Daisy does not even raise her own daughter the nanny is more of a mother than Daisy is. Daisy attempts to look loved and appear she has everything. In reality, she is so self-centered she is distanced and a stranger to her daughter. The sole purpose of her daughter is for show. When Daisy is done showing her off she hands her back to the nurse like a toy she is done with. Both Daisy and Myrtle’s self-centered lifestyles effect their family members; Contrary to Daisy, Myrtle’s narcissistic tendencies affect her husband, George Wilson. Wilson and Tom are discussing making a sale that has long been disputed as Tom is visiting Myrtle. “Like to buy it?’ ‘Big chance,” Wilson smiled faintly. “No, but I could make some money on the other.’ ‘What do you want money for, all of a sudden?’ ‘I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go West”(123). Tom to show superiority shows up to George’s garage flaunting his money; this can be described as cold and heartless. Myrtle takes it one step above, she treats George like he is less than
Daisy was fully aware of Tom’s unfaithfulness but was willfully ignorant. Daisy demonstrates her knowledge of Tom’s cheating after she finally spoke up to Tom and Gatsby in their dispute over her love. As Daisy quietly commented, “Do you know why we left Chicago? I’m surprised they didn’t treat you to the story of that little spree” (131). Tom cheated on Daisy several times; Daisy looked the other way every time. Daisy’s dependence on Tom is the root of her ignorance. When she planned to run off with Gatsby, she brought up his unfaithfulness toward her. Daisy‘s ignorance surprised everyone but her willing ignorance surprised Tom the most. Without Tom, Daisy had no one to supply for her so she either needed a new supporter, which is where Gatsby comes into her life, so she does not have to fend for herself and support her expensive lifestyle on a salary of a woman in the 20s which was next to nothing if she had the skills for a job. Myrtle’s ignorance is to also gain wealth but not because she needs to survive on Tom’s funds but because she desires the higher class life. After the dinner party with Myrtle’s friends and family, Myrtle’s ignorance about how harshly Tom treats her is demonstrated in front of Nick. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy 's name. ‘Daisy! Daisy! …show more content…
Daisy is displaying her daughter who is being raised by the nanny. “I got dressed before the luncheon’, said the child, before turning eagerly to Daisy. ‘That’s because your mother wanted to show you off” (117). Daisy’s daughter’s purpose is to demonstrate how Daisy’s heartless selfishness takes time away from raising her daughter. Daisy does not even raise her own daughter the nanny is more of a mother than Daisy is. Daisy attempts to look loved and appear she has everything. In reality, she is so self-centered she is distanced and a stranger to her daughter. The sole purpose of her daughter is for show. When Daisy is done showing her off she hands her back to the nurse like a toy she is done with. Both Daisy and Myrtle’s self-centered lifestyles effect their family members; Contrary to Daisy, Myrtle’s narcissistic tendencies affect her husband, George Wilson. Wilson and Tom are discussing making a sale that has long been disputed as Tom is visiting Myrtle. “Like to buy it?’ ‘Big chance,” Wilson smiled faintly. “No, but I could make some money on the other.’ ‘What do you want money for, all of a sudden?’ ‘I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go West”(123). Tom to show superiority shows up to George’s garage flaunting his money; this can be described as cold and heartless. Myrtle takes it one step above, she treats George like he is less than