The Great Gatsby Femininity Analysis

Patriarchal Norms and the Deterioration of Femininity

During the 1920’s women were fervently depicted as inferior to men and incapable of the success. In the novel The Great Gatsby female characters are subject to gender based stereotypes and blindly follow culturally accepted norms which dictate their place and position within society. The expectations placed upon the female characters to comply with the norms of society limit their potential to become successful in comparison to the male characters, who are successful in the 1920’s. Within The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald illustrates the female characters as socially and economically limited and dependant, due to the strong implementation of patriarchal roles of men in society. Women are confined

Tom within the novel is an epitome of patriarchy, and his dominating demeanor comes out as he and Gatsby fight over Daisy. She is referred to in third person and bears neither of their arguments until her hand is forced. Daisy remains rigid and takes on the weak, damsel in distress stereotype. Tom boastfully states, “‘She’s not leaving me!’ Tom’s words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. ‘Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.’” (Fitzgerald 141). Tom’s attitude and tone is forceful in nature and arrogantly brings to Gatsby’s attention that he is a long forgotten lover. It is evident that Tom enforces his position and radiates dominance, “‘She’s not leaving me!’” (Fitzgerald 141). Daisy, subject to the will of Tom becomes fearful of what she stands to lose and complies submissively with what he declares. It is his patriarchal attitude that distinguishes the cause for his firmly held belief that he is superior and no woman would ever wish to leave him, especially not for a ‘common swindler’ as Tom suggests Gatsby is. His supremacy suggests that it is well within his conviction that extra-marital affairs should be forbidden for women such as his wife. Tom sneeringly