The New Age of the 1920’s is seen in history as a time that brings new found freedom for women and a different school of thought as to what a woman can be (Parkinson 70). This defining characteristic of the New Age is prevalent in F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel set during this time period, The Great Gatsby. Interestingly enough, the fact that a change in the attitude towards women during this era is explored in the novel is very paradoxical to how Fitzgerald characterizes his central female character, Daisy Fay Buchanan. Daisy is never truly explained as a character in the novel, but is rather seen only through the eyes of the men surrounding her. She is given no radical new thoughts or ideas from her era to present in the novel and is instead
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Fitzgerald’s outlook on women is generally very poor because he is made to deal with the hurt they cause him very personally throughout his life (Bick). Fitzgerald is left with a bad taste in his mouth from his experiences with women from high society, which is why the high class Daisy is merely symbolic for a bigger picture in the book rather than a well-developed and understood character (Bick). Ginevra King, Fitzgerald’s first love, is strikingly similar to Daisy in her actions. King comes from a wealthy family just like Daisy, and is seen as unattainable for Fitzgerald due to his low social status and lack of money (Lehan “Careless…” 69). Despite the obstacles that keep them apart, King and Fitzgerald manage to have a relationship, just as Daisy and a poor boy named Gatsby have a relationship before he leaves for war (Lehan “Careless…” 69). Ginevra decides to take her life into her own hands by marrying the most eligible bachelor of her society, who is the parallel to the rich young man Daisy marries while Gatsby is gone from her (Lehan “Careless…” 70). The story of Fitzgerald and King’s affair is almost exactly the same as Daisy and Gatsby’s doomed love. Fitzgerald himself makes no attempt to hide the similarities, admitting “The whole idea of Gatsby is the unfairness of a poor young …show more content…
Daisy’s choice is the one thing in the novel that reveals an accurate glimpse of the woman she is. She is no longer the Louisville debutante Gatsby is in love with, but is changed and shaped by her marriage and the years of separation (Parkinson 87). Unlike Gatsby, she is unable to pretend she has escaped unscathed from a society that has transformed her into someone with little regard for how her actions affect others (Hermanson). Once it is revealed that Gatsby can only offer her a wealth based on bootlegging, Daisy is unable to see anything but a future with no promise of the comfortable and stable lifestyle she currently has with Tom (Murphy). Daisy fits in more easily with Tom’s perceptions of her, and the superficial but concrete bond of their marriage serves to keep them together when Gatsby seems about to change it all (Way 52). Ultimately, Daisy keeps herself trapped because she is more concerned with her own security than taking the risk of being with Gatsby (Way 52). There is no question that Daisy’s choice of Tom makes a loud statement about who she is behind the contradicting viewpoints of the two men. Daisy chooses the materialism of her society over the fantastic dream of Gatsby; a selfish act done to maintain her safe but miserable life (Parkinson 91). She thinks she is simply making the best
Fitzgerald’s outlook on women is generally very poor because he is made to deal with the hurt they cause him very personally throughout his life (Bick). Fitzgerald is left with a bad taste in his mouth from his experiences with women from high society, which is why the high class Daisy is merely symbolic for a bigger picture in the book rather than a well-developed and understood character (Bick). Ginevra King, Fitzgerald’s first love, is strikingly similar to Daisy in her actions. King comes from a wealthy family just like Daisy, and is seen as unattainable for Fitzgerald due to his low social status and lack of money (Lehan “Careless…” 69). Despite the obstacles that keep them apart, King and Fitzgerald manage to have a relationship, just as Daisy and a poor boy named Gatsby have a relationship before he leaves for war (Lehan “Careless…” 69). Ginevra decides to take her life into her own hands by marrying the most eligible bachelor of her society, who is the parallel to the rich young man Daisy marries while Gatsby is gone from her (Lehan “Careless…” 70). The story of Fitzgerald and King’s affair is almost exactly the same as Daisy and Gatsby’s doomed love. Fitzgerald himself makes no attempt to hide the similarities, admitting “The whole idea of Gatsby is the unfairness of a poor young …show more content…
Daisy’s choice is the one thing in the novel that reveals an accurate glimpse of the woman she is. She is no longer the Louisville debutante Gatsby is in love with, but is changed and shaped by her marriage and the years of separation (Parkinson 87). Unlike Gatsby, she is unable to pretend she has escaped unscathed from a society that has transformed her into someone with little regard for how her actions affect others (Hermanson). Once it is revealed that Gatsby can only offer her a wealth based on bootlegging, Daisy is unable to see anything but a future with no promise of the comfortable and stable lifestyle she currently has with Tom (Murphy). Daisy fits in more easily with Tom’s perceptions of her, and the superficial but concrete bond of their marriage serves to keep them together when Gatsby seems about to change it all (Way 52). Ultimately, Daisy keeps herself trapped because she is more concerned with her own security than taking the risk of being with Gatsby (Way 52). There is no question that Daisy’s choice of Tom makes a loud statement about who she is behind the contradicting viewpoints of the two men. Daisy chooses the materialism of her society over the fantastic dream of Gatsby; a selfish act done to maintain her safe but miserable life (Parkinson 91). She thinks she is simply making the best