Examples Of Bisexuality In The Great Gatsby

During the 1920’s, homosexuality and bisexuality were considered taboo. It was considered a shame, an evil, and in some cases, a mental illness. Due to society’s view towards these sexual orientations, many men and women sheltered and harbored their sexualities to blend in with the norms of society. A victim of these societal rules is Nick Carraway. Nick Carraway, leaves hints of bisexuality in his thoughts and his words. Nick has an apparent attraction to Tom Buchanan, which is seen in the way Nick describes him. Nick also had a one night stand with Mr. McKee after that party at Tom and Myrtle’s apartment. Also, on his birthday, Nick mentions that the list of single men he knows will thin, much like his hair. I believe it was F. Scott

Fitzgerald’s intent to use Nick Carraway as a symbol of inherent bisexuality.
When Nick initially sees Tom, he describes him in a lewd way, which I believe is the first example of Nick’s bisexuality.

When Tom is introduced in the novel, Nick directly characterizes in a very sexual manner. “Not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body—he seemed to fill those glistening boots until he strained the top lacing and you could see a great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat. It was a body capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body.” Nick uses descriptors that emphasize Tom’s muscle and physique. From the way he speaks, Nick has a difficult time taking his eyes off of Tom. Tom has an athletic body from his years of polo and exercise, this is a body that would swoon most women, even some men. I believe Nick was one of these men. Due to his view of Tom, I believe Nick is potentially

bisexual.
The next article of evidence to Nick’s bisexuality was his evening with Mr. McKee. Nick went to New York one afternoon with Tom and his mistress, Myrtle. Nick felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave, but stayed at the discretion of Tom. As more people came to the gathering, Mr. McKee catches Nick’s eye. Nick speaks to this complete stranger and learns that he is a photographer, Mr. McKee even talks about some of the work he has done on Long Island. As the party continues into the night, the festivities drag on, and Nick and Mr. McKee leave together. What happens next is foggy in Nick’s memory, but his memory picks up after the deed. “... I was standing beside his bed and he was sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear, with a great portfolio in his hands.” Nick ends up at the bedside of Mr. McKee, and Mr. McKee is wearing nothing a pair of underwear. It can be inferred that some “acts” occurred between Nick and Mr. McKee during their drunken stupor. Nick spent the night with Mr. McKee and I believe this is further proof of Nick’s bisexuality.
As you grow older, many attributes of your life deteriorate.

Your, hair, your social life, even your bladder control, but Nick has other concerns with his coming age. After the events the afternoon in the Plaza Hotel, Nick has a realization. While he was pondering in the wake of the events that had just happened, Nick remembers it’s his 30th birthday. “Thirty—the promise of a decade of loneliness, a thinning list of single men to know, a thinning briefcase of enthusiasm, thinning hair.” Nick reflects how things will change with his coming age, however, one thing he mentions is quite peculiar. Nick mentions that the list of single men he knows will begin to thin. Nick most likely means the amount of single men over 30 looking for hook-ups will be short than it has been in recent years. Nick’s disappointment by the lack of single men in his life hints at bisexuality and is definite proof that Nick is

bisexual.
It is a shame that many must conceal their sexuality for fear of society’s reaction, but it’s a sad truth. Nick is attracted to women, this is known because of his fling with the lovely Jordan Baker, but due to his thoughts and actions, it is seen that he may be attracted to men. Nick’s ogling of Tom Buchanan is seen in his words. We also see Nick’s one night stand with Mr. McKee after the already immoral festivities of the afternoon. The final, unmistakeable evidence of Nick’s bisexuality was his observation that he will have fewer single men in his life with his coming age. In the 20th century, it was common to conceal sexuality to blend in with the status quo, and I believe Nick Carraway was one of these men.