Great Gatsby - Women

3 Pages 744 Words

The turn of the century made many influences on the world. However, it was approximately in the 1920’s when women become more independent, delegated, and responsible for more things in the world than just keeping the house tidy, as was the mentality back in those days. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a true literary masterpiece based on the tragic life of Jay Gatsby through the eyes of his acquaintance and neighbour, Nick Carraway. The story travels through different settings based on New York, and many characters are introduced and portrayed in their true behaviour. However, through his constant implications during the story of the negative characteristics women possess, Fitzgerald openly shows his opinion that women generally have low moral qualities, and demonstrates this by the actions and speech illustrated by the three female characters: Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson.
In the eyes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Daisy Buchanan was the typical depiction of the rich, young, married woman of the 1920’s. Although she was capable of showing warmth at certain times, when later reconsidered, it is seen that this is more of a façade to make herself popular. In relation to Fitzgerald’s own wife, Zelda, Daisy could not marry young Jay Gatsby because he was not wealthy, which was more important in her mind than the love she actually had for him. Also, Daisy’s child in the story also seems to be seen as more of a toy in her mind than an actual child, and when referring to her, Daisy further proved her own naivety when wishing the child a life similar to her own. “…And I hope she’ll be a fool, that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world today, a beautiful little fool.” (Pg 17). Daisy’s true character was revealed when she rejected Gatsby one final time, but never owned up for the death of Myrtle Wilson, leaving Gatsby as the one responsible.
Myrtle Wilson was not the greatest of char...