This work is about the role and depiction of women in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
When talking about "The Great Gatsby", you cannot omit the flapper, the New Woman of the Roaring Twenties, that is so typical for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s time and novel. This novel depicts young women, neither bound to the housewife role nor prudes. But still, the female characters of the story are under the power of a patriarchal society, even if it is a more subtle one than twenty years before.
So, the work will argue that in "The Great Gatsby" the author presents New Women but still fails to emancipate them. It will start by analysing to what extent the female characters meet the type of the flapper in terms of their lifestyle and writing their own story. Then it will investigate the limits of their liberation, by analysing Daisy’s association to the “golden girl” and how these women are objectified through men’s desire.
Daisy Buchanan, the female protagonist, is often described as a flapper: they wore short skirt and hair, had a lot of makeup on and lived a leisure-full lifestyle. We cannot tell from Daisy’s physical description that she meets the type of the flapper, since her description is based on character traits. But we can tell she is a flapper according to her lifestyle and personality.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The New Woman
- 2.1 A new way of being a woman
- 2.2 Own story, own desire
- 3. The limits of the "free woman"
- 3.1 Daisy: golden girl and child bride
- 3.2 Women as object of men's desires
- 4. Conclusion
- 5. Works cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the portrayal of women in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, specifically examining the extent to which female characters embody the "New Woman" archetype of the Roaring Twenties while simultaneously remaining constrained by patriarchal structures. The analysis explores the complexities of female liberation within the novel's social context.
- The portrayal of the "New Woman" in The Great Gatsby
- The limitations on female independence within a patriarchal society
- The role of money and social status in shaping women's lives
- The complexities of female desire and agency
- The intertwining of female identity and societal expectations
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis, establishing the central argument that while The Great Gatsby features female characters who exhibit characteristics of the "New Woman" of the 1920s, they ultimately remain constrained by patriarchal societal norms. It outlines the paper's approach, focusing on examining the extent to which the female characters embody flapper characteristics and the limitations placed upon their liberation.
2. The New Woman: This chapter delves into the portrayal of the "New Woman" in The Great Gatsby, analyzing the ways in which the female characters, particularly Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, exemplify this archetype. It examines their lifestyles, independence, and attitudes towards societal expectations. The chapter contrasts the outwardly modern appearances and behaviors of these women with underlying societal pressures that constrain their choices and agency. Detailed descriptions of their actions and interactions, particularly Jordan's career and Daisy's choices regarding her relationships, illustrate their complex roles as both modern and constrained figures.
3. The limits of the "free woman": This chapter explores the limitations placed upon the apparent freedom of the female characters. It examines how even those who appear to challenge traditional gender roles remain ultimately bound by societal expectations and the desires of men. The analysis focuses on Daisy's portrayal as a "golden girl" and a "child bride," highlighting how societal structures protect her from the consequences of her actions, thereby perpetuating her dependence. The chapter also examines the objectification of women, highlighting how their worth is often tied to their desirability to men, as illustrated in the interactions and relationships between the characters.
Keywords
The Great Gatsby, New Woman, flapper, female liberation, patriarchy, societal expectations, gender roles, Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, objectification, money, social status, female agency, 1920s, Jazz Age.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Women in F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes how women are portrayed in F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, specifically examining the extent to which female characters embody the "New Woman" archetype of the Roaring Twenties while also being constrained by patriarchal societal structures. It explores the complexities of female liberation within the novel's social context.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the portrayal of the "New Woman" in *The Great Gatsby*, the limitations on female independence within a patriarchal society, the role of money and social status in shaping women's lives, the complexities of female desire and agency, and the intertwining of female identity and societal expectations.
Which female characters are central to the analysis?
The analysis primarily focuses on Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, examining their lives, independence, and attitudes towards societal expectations to illustrate both their modern aspects and the constraints they faced.
How does the paper define the "New Woman"?
The paper examines how Daisy and Jordan exemplify the characteristics of the "New Woman" of the 1920s, contrasting their outwardly modern appearances and behaviors with the underlying societal pressures that limit their choices and agency. Their actions and interactions highlight their complex roles as both modern and constrained figures.
What are the limitations placed on the freedom of the female characters?
The paper explores how even characters who seem to challenge traditional gender roles remain bound by societal expectations and the desires of men. It highlights how societal structures may protect women from consequences, perpetuating their dependence (as seen with Daisy), and how women are often objectified and their worth tied to their desirability to men.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters: an introduction setting the stage; a chapter exploring the "New Woman" archetype as represented in the novel; a chapter examining the limits of female freedom within the patriarchal context; and a conclusion. A table of contents and chapter summaries are provided for easy navigation.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: The Great Gatsby, New Woman, flapper, female liberation, patriarchy, societal expectations, gender roles, Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, objectification, money, social status, female agency, 1920s, Jazz Age.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The central argument is that while *The Great Gatsby* features female characters exhibiting characteristics of the "New Woman" of the 1920s, they ultimately remain constrained by patriarchal societal norms. The paper demonstrates the complexities of female liberation within the novel's social context.
- Quote paper
- Camille Simonin (Author), 2021, Women's place in "The Great Gatsby" from Fritzgerald, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1187659
