Women in Fitzgeralds Novels - Coursework Example

Women in Fitzgerald Introduction In most of Fitzgerald’s novels, women characters serve as decorative figures. They are portrayed as beautiful despite being viewed as worthless, egoistical, vicious, and callous and often, the survivors. As main consumers, they are incapable of acquiring intellectual ability, idealism or any artistic interests as they do not experience passion. Analysis of gender disparity in the Fitzgerald’s novels The last novel he wrote, “The last Tycoon”, exhibits some development, in that the narrator of the story is a youthful woman in search of the truth about the callous social and economic intricacy in the year 1920, in Hollywood. She does not have any sexual, creative or political actions. Women characters remain marginalized into merely personalized subjects of experiences. While writing the book, “The Great Gatsby” the author acknowledges that women figures are subordinate, as it contains no significant women personality. After the inability of the book to attain the commercial success that he had preferred, he stressed that it was because women did not love the book. In the book, Fitzgerald depicts the new social order and liberty enjoyed by the women as shown in the character Daisy, Baker, and Wilson with plentiful of youthful women present in Gatsby parties (Bloom 123). Tom Buchanan conversely advocates for the past ideology that equates women to decorative objects used by men to fulfill their sexual desires. Ironically, he enjoys an intimate affair with Myrtle. His double standards needs to be condemned as it necessitates the narrator to also change his perception. The ideals of the narrator in the issue only differ with Tom to a small extent. This is because he disapproves Jordan on the basis of inadequate morals in her together with the indifference she exhibits. The description of the narrator depicts the obscured source of resentment that states she looks more of a boy than a young woman. The covert theme is ignored by both the narrator and the author. This subject talks about the position and identity of women. Nick outlines an odd statement touching on the moral principles of women, which is not the familiar truth even though it is supported by women acts in the storyline. He refers to Jordan Baker in his comment by using the pronoun, “you”. However, he judges Jordan and allows Daisy to survive in this context but pay with her freedom (Lathbury 234). A feminist critic has stressed the book, “The Great Gatsby,” exhibits real prejudice against women. While the narrator’s informal comment shows a demeaning dislike for women ethical capacities, it is also an interpretation of personal immaturity, which the author, wanted to portray in the book. There is no woman character in the book that depicts importance rather than the like for material possessions. No woman is discussed as concerned about Nick’s ethical preoccupations and his wish to comprehend Gatsby immense dedication to a dream that outweighs his constrained self. Daisy delicate beauty needs the involvement and fortification of men to preserve it at any cost on her ethical identity. Tom, the author, and Nick, are part of this notion. All the male characters in the novel encourage to the defeat of humankind in women through obstinate means and the choices they make (Lathbury 311). The former party sees Nick noticing some single ladies. They are considered an essential characteristic of the large crowd that stays at Gatsby house. The girls are not bothered about the genuine foundation of Gatsby affluence. When the jazz band comes to an end, the ladies are seen resting their heads on the shoulders of men in a friendly manner. The ladies are liberated but depend on the male counterparts. Most of them belong to the Broadway world and contribute to vulgarity that appalls Daisy. Conversely, wives seem to be stab le in their marriages, but the Gatsby parties strain their marriages. The men dominate the world as women are portrayed as mistresses. The ladies words show unconcern for the latest war and Gatsby. The gossip about Gatsby is absurd, but they are not bothered by that idea. The ladies link to Gatsby garden delicate offerings intensifies their insensitivity. There are young ladies in the book who are depicted as liberated, but their new found freedom makes obvious their total lack of moral concern. When Daisy states that she feels like having fun, it is an expression of all the other young ladies desire. Daisy notion on the horrific war was that time when beautiful young ladies rolled bandages in the Red Cross, while enjoy some intimate moments with the officers (Lathbury 198). The artificial world gives the girls an opportunity to reflect on relationships only as the vital thing in their lives. The girls attending the Gatsby do not identify with any social class as what matters to them is enjoying life. The re depicted as a subject of sexual desires as they are part of men erotic interest. The party mood that comprises of dancing and music, in the Gatsby place, creates an invasive mood of luminous together with ephemeral attractiveness draw attention to youthful nature, and allure of the ladies. The girls may be termed as gold diggers, vociferous and vulgar; this makes the author portray their sexual vitality as the subject of concern. Myrtle Wilson is a female character in the story and gets introduced by the author by the telephone she makes. It disturbs Daisy evening party as it strains the relationship of the husband and the wife (Lathbury 348). Fitzgerald cleverly put the presence of the shrill impostor into the Buchanan wealthy world. Their world is concealed from everything including severe weather and unpleasant issues. Her flowery name symbolizes a plump, nonetheless; a climbing plant forcefully trying to compel its approach to the top. The author does not give her the chance to recognize her unattainable dreams. She is voluptuous and stresses this by putting on that dress that stretches on her hips. Her grammar and intriguing taste differentiate her from Tom Buchanan’s elite world. She has sharp manners and comical affections. Despite her dreams and ambitions to climb the ladder, she remains unpretentious. Her energy is apparent as she dictates the characters that interact with her in the story. The kind of language she uses symbolizes energy, and is self conscious about Myrtle’s sexual desires. The inferior class pretentious appeal appears humorous to Nick as he explores them from the angle of sexual dominance, together with her explicit sexual personality that impresses him. She wants Tom as a result of the social status he professes and his bulky physical outlook. Conversely, her sexuality is part of Gatsby’s passionate craze for Daisy (Greenberg & Fitzgerald 267). There is no personality in the story who talks about her urgent desires, for instance mentioning that the first time she saw Tom, she could not stop thinking about him. She is a muggy woman although the energy and aura is portrayed when confronted with her own husband at the car garage. There is malice in the way she talks to her husband and the notion of Wilson beating her up is ridiculous. She seems to be displaying her anger and fear of an aggravated woman when cherished thoughts and fantasies are being shattered. Her death is dramatized and given significance by use of language. Her posture when she meets her death is ironical in that kneeling is mostly linked to prayers. The narrative style depicts her paying dearly for her adulterous life. Although, Fitzgerald pays honor her sexuality, it is obvious in the end the author makes her pay dearly for being candidly sensualist (Greenberg & Fitzgerald 234). However, Tom does not suffer as a result of his active sexual transgressions. Tom and Myrtle cannot get married as Tom view her as a mistress because of her social class that he views it as unworthy. Despite being aware of the situation, Myrtle continues to seduce Tom to his bed because of his attraction for Tom. She is a casualty of the heartless rich people who uses their societal status and economic empowerment to exploit others. She is a victim of her own misfortunes as she corrupts her ways to attain her unachievable goals. The tragedy that happens in the book is as a result of the characters actions. American dream distorts for both the poor and the rich as not only dignity that destroys the inside but the lower class people that depreciate in an endeavor to achieve immense heights. Jordan Baker attempts a premeditated indifference which signifies determination to achieve her dreams. Occupying a comfortable secure position in the society, she influences and manipulates her patriarchal world to attain her interests (Bloom 234). Conclusion The change in the language that the author uses shows the reader the dissimilarity of both ambitions and method of attaining them. While Myrtle being a lower citizen talks without control, Jordan lives her life in diplomacy. Fitzgerald provides no accessibility to her personal world that is later interpreted by Nick to the reader. Jordan name is linked to cars as Fetterley imply that River Jordan that has been related to life contrast her existence. In the book, Nick is the one who emphasizes that Jordan is a liberated woman. Her slender body posture and her sporting experiences are stressed many times. As an independent woman, she goes to Gatsby’s parties alone as she creates an impression that she has lost her femininity. Her complete, independent lifestyle portrayed by her estrangement from emotional relationships provides a useful contrast in the story with Daisy dazzling, and obsessive words and the personal excitement she conveys. Jordan’s boredom and disdain also contradicts with Daisy’s sparkle. Fitzgerald’s characterization of the character Jordan is attained with simplicity and disconnection in that it depicts her as a fresh woman. She posses all the characteristics of a liberated woman and uses all means to conserve traditional advantages given to a lady. The two women try to come out of the social shells of their status in life as they suffer for making the decision. Myrtle is torn apart and shattered; Jordan loses her integrity together with her femininity. The novel suggests the author’s knowledge of the change of role of women after the war period. List of References Bloom, H., (2003), The great Gatsby, New York: Chelsea House Publishers. Greenberg, N., & Fitzgerald, F. S., (2007), The great Gatsby, New York: Allen & Unwin. Lathbury, R, (2000), The great Gatsby, New York: Gale Group. Read More