Jordan's Expectations Of Women In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald calls attention to gender inequality of the 20th century. His descriptions of the differences between Jordan and Daisy portray Jordan as an embodiment of the new woman of the 1920s. Jordan epitomizes an unfettered woman and unlike Daisy, is entirely self-sufficient. Jordan’s independence and confidence spark disapproval from Tom and Nick because of her unwillingness to be restricted by their choices.
Jordan shapes herself as a self-motivated woman, opposing the actions of Daisy. Daisy defines women based on the expectations of men. When she learns she is having a daughter, she remarks that, “the best thing a girl can be in this world [is] a beautiful little fool’” (17). Before the rise of the self-reliant

woman, being beautiful was the main option for women to succeed.

Marriage was an important part of life for even the wealthiest women. Daisy’s opinion that a woman should be “beautiful” and a “fool” is a contradiction to the actions of Jordan. Jordan doesn’t allow men to define her, and by no means is she a “fool.” She transcends the limitations that men and women have placed on her. Nick says that he is, “flattered to go places with her, because she was a golf champion” (57). Jordan’s sporting ability leads to her fame, and thus, Nick is “flattered” by her friendship. Her independence and athleticism, two things that weren’t acceptable before the 1920s, are now something to be respected for. Jordan defies the superficial role of a man as an athlete. On one occasion, Nick describes her as, “dressed to play golf [with] her chin raised... jauntily.” At the same meeting, she breaks up with Nick, and when she says she was engaged, he believes that, “there were several [men] she could have married at the nod of her head” (177). When Nick ignores her after a day in the city, she immediately moves along. Rather than asking for his forgiveness, she doesn’t let his choices change her opinions. Even if she is pretending to be engaged, she is showing

men that she will not let their actions affect her. She has become a fully independent women, which is something that appalls Tom and Nick. Her “jauntily” raised chin suggests that she is unfazed when breaking up with Nick. She remains strong and cheerful even after being left by a man, showing that the actions of men don’t affect her own opinions. Jordan is frequently referred to as “jaunty,” implying that men notice her self-confident manner. Nick realizes her self-confidence leads to a dominance of men, which gives her the possibility of marrying “several” men at her own choice. This is a reversal of the gender roles before the 1920s.
Jordan’s independence makes Tom and Nick uncomfortable because of her choice to be unsubmissive.

Tom once commented that, “[her family] oughtn’t to let her to run around the country this way” (18). He believes that a woman is the responsibility of a man and her family. He is condescending her by implying that “her family” is responsible for her choices. With more rights for women emerging, Tom seems to be angry with the new options that women are embracing. Her newfound independence is met with scorn, as Tom thinks she shouldn’t be allowed “to run around,” Tom’s opinion that a women should be controlled by others is an expected response to Jordan’s confidence. Nick shares a similar distrust of Jordan’s independence. He believes that “she was incurably dishonest.” He also thinks that she “instinctively avoid[s] clever, shrewd men” (57). Nick seems incredibly shocked by the independence of Jordan. Despite acknowledging her athleticism and strength, he finds her self-dependence “dishonest” and somewhat unfairly, believes that she avoids “clever, shrewd men,” showing his feelings that her independence is superficial compared to men. He glosses over her self-sufficiency and her beliefs that men shouldn’t and won’t define her. Her avoidance of clever men may simply be a choice to ensure her independence. Instead of embracing Jordan’s self-determination, he derides her for her ability to challenge stereotypical gender roles. Nick is also surprised by her self-reliance. He says

that, “almost any exhibition of complete self-sufficiency draws a stunned tribute from me” (9). Her self-sufficiency is something completely foreign to him. He has never been exposed to a strong, independent woman, and her confidence draws a “stunned tribute.” Despite recognizing her independence, Nick is unable to veer away from his negative perceptions of her as a dishonest woman, considering her part of a rotten crowd.
Throughout the novel, Nick and Tom are wary of Jordan’s representation of the “new woman” of the 1920s. Jordan’s independent free-spirit is something that is overwhelming to the men around her. Both her allure and the scorn men feel for her are due to her opposition to being restricted by the opinions of others. Through his actions, Nick proves that he, like many other men, is upset by her independence. Nick and Tom’s opinions of the differences in women shed light onto the feelings of Fitzgerald and the society of the 1920s. Through Nick’s eyes, Fitzgerald seems to find the modern woman dishonest, preferring the obedience of Daisy. His descriptions of Jordan paint an accurate image of sexism in the 20th century as well as the reactions regarding women’s rights. Similar responses to feminism still occur today, enforcing the continued relevance of Fitzgerald’s work in many aspects of society. Perhaps men are uncomfortable with seeing women challenging their authority.