An Analysis of Gender, Femininity and Masculinity toward

F. Scott Fitzgeralds the Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby novel is, at its core, about ascending the social ladder, how it is done
and how it is influenced by gender. While the story is most definitely character-driven, the
narrator is merely a witness, there is no real antagonist, and the characters can even be said
not to be attempts at portraying real people, but rather means of describing social life at the
time.
Fundamentally, Feminist Criticism studies how literature analyzes the oppression of
women in all its myriad forms. This criticism examines how the values of patriarchy govern
the characters, thereby showing the values of the author and the times.
Traditionally, these values show men in dominant roles and women in submissive roles.
When women try to move into more dominant, or clearly less submissive, roles, this struggle
tends to become a focal point of the literature. Meanwhile, the males assume the position as
head of the family. In most cases, their family responsibilities and obligations establish their
masculinity.
This essay will answer several questions involve the way is this novel gendered, the way
defined femininity and masculinity and whether the characters behavior always conform to
their assigned genders. Therefore, this essay will analyze the Gender, Femininity and
Masculinity of F. Scott Fitzgeralds the Great Gatsby.
Novels Gender

Fitzgerald discusses the role of gender within the class framework. Each of the social
groups is represented by at least one person of each sex. The expectations, freedoms and
restrictions imposed on the characters based on their sex becomes apparently when
contrasting Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson.
The novel seems to promote only the traditional gender roles. Traditional gender roles
are easily defined in The Great Gatsby through the male and female characters. First of all,
Daisy and Myrtle, the main wives of the piece, stay home and look pretty. Jordan, the lone
single woman, fulfills what many single women doing, developing a career to support herself.
Fortunately for her, a pro sports career was likely a profitable one if she scored well during
the tournaments she participated in. All three women use their looks and cunning promiscuity
to entice men's attention. This is an age-old feature of women, but particularly in America,
this behavior became commonplace in the 20s when women fought for greater rights. Daisy
presents herself as a flirt (with her cousin even) in chapter 1. Myrtle presents herself as a
tease with Tom in chapter 2 at their apartment. Jordan in chapters 1 and 3 plays a little hard-
to-get with Nick at Daisy's house and then at Gatsby's party.
As for the men, theirs is the role of bringing home the paychecks, although Tom's
money is old money and he just spends. George Wilson demonstrates that typical working
class man struggling to make ends meet; in chapter 2 when Tom and Nick stop by. Gatsby's
money is earned; although the entire book makes it difficult to understand exactly how, we
presume he is a bootlegger. Nick works an honest job in the city as a bond man. The men all
chase women in one way or another. George has his woman but suspects her of an affair later
in the book locking her in their home for fear she will run to another man. Tom is the other
man and he successfully chased her while his wife looked the other way. Gatsby's quest for
Daisy is the ultimate chase, but when he gets her, it completely changes his identity. Nick
seems confused about if he can and should chase Jordan and their relationship demonstrates
this throughout the text, but particularly in chapter 9 with their discussion about cars.

Femininitys Depiction

All feminists agree to against patriarchal ideology which works to keep men and women
restricted to traditional gender roles so that male dominance may be maintained (Tyson,
2006). Utilizing the ideology of Feminist criticism, it could be argued The Great Gatsby
promotes a sparingly implied both patriarchal and feminism ideology. Fitzgerald presents
three women in Gatsby that are Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle. Psychologically, Daisy, Jordan,
and Myrtle are obviously quite different from each other. In fact, it could be said they are like
three corners of a triangle, supporting each others role in the story but entirely separate at the
same time.
1. Daisy Buchanan Portrayal
Daisy is portrayed as a classic beauty that uses an innate sex appeal to gather some
amount of control over her surroundings. She is also of old money, but her gender and
personality makes her role in society, and in the novel, somewhat different. She does not
(or at least to a lesser degree) share her husband attitude of superiority, but is rather
carefree, some would say careless. This is exemplified by her attitude towards her
daughter, whom she generally leaves with her nanny.
Im glad its a girl. And I hope shell be a fool thats the best thing a
girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.
(Fitzgerald, 1925:20)
 This mysterious quote is comfortably tucked in the middle of a superfluous
conversation between Daisy and Nick. This quote symbolizes one of the thematic bases
of the novel: a subordinate role for women in the Twenties. Daisys quote implies
recognition of some impressive intimidating obstacle, and a consequent sense of
surrender. It suggests that Daisy is critically aware of her own feminism and the place
that femininity holds in the particular historical context. In many ways, this quote is
autobiographical, despite the fact that Daisy is talking about her daughter.
Another example beyond Daisys quote that portray women as a feminist is
illustrated by Fitzgerland that Daisy is able to voice out her right to speak and to give her
opinion.
Oh, you want too much! she cried to Gatsby. I love you nowisnt that
enough? I cant help whats past. She began to sob helplessly. I did
love him oncebut I loved you too.
(Fitzgerald, 1925:141-142)
This quotation focuses on Daisy as a feminist who was able to voice out her opinion
about what she was feeling on Gatsby and Tom, her own husband. Though, she is
depressed by Gatsbys dictation at first. But at last she is able to give her voice of what
she was feeling.
As a result, Daisy is portrayed as a representation of upper class women in the 20s
who is both oppressed by men and also a feminist. As she has also begun seeing Gatsby
even though Tom is her official husband, it shows that she is unfaithful. This insinuates
that many women in the 20s were unfaithful and therefore not to be trusted. This mark is
contrast to patriarchal ideology that believed woman should be loyal to her husband by
serving him as what a husband should be treated. Daisy seemed along and against such
belief and tended to be a feminist since she did not serve her husband as what patriarchy
women must act and she is also patriarchy woman for her reconciliation with Tom, her
official husband.
2. Jordan Baker Portrayal
Jordan is a woman who defies the image of the typical woman of the 20s. An athlete
who excels in golf and a woman who does more or less as she pleases, her characteristics
led her name to suit her beautifully. The name Jordan Baker also implies reference to two
types of dominant vehicles at the time, as the explanatory notes of the novel names, "the
sporty Jordan and the conservative Baker electric."
Jordan always acts as an aristocrat and is extremely hypocritical. Nick described her,
as a very dishonest person or a liar.
 She was incurably dishonest.
(Fitzgerald, 1925:64)
As an athlete Jordan might carry the greatest potential to stray from a typical gender
role. She not only cheated at golf, her profession, to win her first tournament, but she
also always wants to be with a not to cleaver men so she can always looks superior.
Jordan also is a lazy woman. It seems to be a laziness brought on by her class, wealth,
the age they live in, or a combination of these. She is continuously seen as lounging on
couches or sleeping.
In short, Jordan baker also portrays as an agent of feminism. Jordan is also
extremely reckless. She will cheat to win, but she also doesnt care much for safety of
anybody. After Nick tells her she is a rotten driver and asked what will happen if she
meets someone as careless as her on the road, she replies that she hopes she never does.
It portrays a woman who does not want to be inferior to man.
3. Myrtle Portrayal
Myrtle seems to be an earthier woman, possibly possessing a raw sexual energy,
but Fitzgerald stops short of portraying her as an independent, sexual being, empowered
to pursue her own sexual experiences.
She desires Tom because of his bulky masculinity and his social style, and in a way
her sexuality is a counterpart of Gatsbys romantic passion for Daisy. No other character
in the novel expresses such urgency of desire as when she mentions for the first time
when she saw Tom.
All I kept thinking about, over and over, was You cant live forever; you
cant live forever.
(Fitzgerald, 1925:31)
When Myrtle tells her story, it appears that she has been held captive, by her
husband, in a lifestyle that doesnt suit her. She explains herself as the victim and Tom as
her savoir. This seems a little backwards when you consider both of them have a husband
or wife and Tom has a child. Myrtle is a woman who would give anything to have the
American life that Tom gives Daisy.
Myrtle is a voluptuous and sultry woman, though the vitality and liveliness of her
personality is demonstrated even when being confronted with her husband in the garage,
shouting:
Beat me! he heard her cry. Throw me down and beat me, you dirty little
coward!
(Fitzgerald, 1925:109)
 There is venom in the way she addresses her husband and the idea of Wilson
beating her is simply ridiculous; she is venting her anger and desperation of a frustrated
woman when her fantasy/dream is being destroyed. She is a victim of the callous rich
who hold the social and economic power as much as she is a victim of her own
corruptness evinced in her unachievable personal goal.
Myrtle Wilson is nevertheless important when considering the author's
representation of gender in the novel. Like Gatsby, she is from the lower classes, and
expresses a desire of upward social mobility. However, unlike Gatsby, she is largely
prevented from doing so due to her gender. Instead, she has to go through a man, more
specifically Tom Buchanan, with whom she has an extramarital affair.
In many respects these characters could have been deeper had Fitzgerald felt free to
expound upon these possibilities; it seems the story would only have been enriched if he had
explored these women deeper. However, the fact that Fitzgerald was not willing to fill out
these women to their potential could indicate a desire, either of his own or one he felt society
had placed upon him, to keep them within the expected stereotypes of their gender.
feminine or feminist writing that resists or refuses participation in
masculine discourse risks being politically marginalized in a society that still
is, after all, patriarchal.
Daisy, along with the other women in the novel, has been marginalized. However, she is
painstakingly aware of it: thats the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little
fool. She has seen her own marginalization, unlike other female characters in Gatsby. In the
novel, The patriarchal agenda is evident in how all three of the major female characters are
dependent to varied degrees upon the men in their lives Even Jordan has some need for a
man. Daisy and Myrtle are more obviously and traditionally dependent.
The patriarchal agenda is also supported in the way men do business and women sit
around and gossip. Even Nick, who in some ways is portrayed in a traditionally feminine role
because of his financial dependence upon his family, is given a nice mans job in the stock
market to remove any anti-patriarchal doubts. Overall, a Feminist criticism of this novel
allows the reader to understand how subtle and pervasive the patriarchal influences are within
our society.
The women of this novel are "The "single girls" who are wild and uninhibited. They are
the type of women who entertain the men at the party; however, women are also portrayed as
small and insignificant. This shows that despite the allowances women are given to act
independently, they are still under men's control when all is said and done.
Masculinitys Depiction

Masculinity is a well known stereotype that often defines men as being tough, strong,
and having no emotions (Tyson, 2006). In most cases, their work tends to identify their level
of masculinity. In The Great Gatsby by Scott F. Fitzgerald, the male characters create their
identities through their abilities to provide for their families. In these three texts, the males
portray their masculinity by their roles as head of the family and their work and wealth.
As a tradition in many cultures, the males assume the position as head of the family. In
most cases, their family responsibilities and obligations establish their masculinity.
Traditionally, the position of the family leader is passed down to the eldest male.
In his novel, men work to earn money for the maintenance of the women. Men are
dominant over women, especially in the case of Tom, who asserts his physical strength to
control them. Other men who exist in this novel are Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway.
1. Jay Gatsby or James Gatz Portrayal
Fitzgerland described Gatsby at first as a dominant man. Jay Gatsby represents the
new money, self-made millionaires and opportunists having acquired their wealth
through varies they various new industries that sprung up in the late 1800s and early
1900s. Originally coming from a working class family, he changed his name from James
Gatz to Jay Gatsby and attempted to hide his background, at which he is enjoys a fair
amount of success by simply not discussing it, and letting rumor about his person, of
various credibility, spread freely. His lowly family background is revealed by a reporter
from New York approaching Carraway to inquire about Gatsby and confirmed at the end
of the novel when his father, Henry C. Gatz, shows up after his death.
Gatsbys plan on Daisy being a fling seemed dictated Daisy to be free by talking
Tom that she did not loved him. This leads to assumption that Gatsby is dominated
Daisys life. It is illustrated as below:
Gatsby walked over and stood beside her. Daisy, thats all over now, he
said earnestly. It doesnt matter anymore. Just tell him the truththat
you never loved himand its all wiped out forever.
(Fitzgerald, 1925:141)
2. Nick Carraway Portrayal
The narrator, Nick Carraway is a middle class Yale graduate from the Midwest. He
is relatively young, 29 years of age in the beginning of the novel, unmarried, and has
recently begun working as a bond salesman in New York. He has no aspirations of
joining fine society, he knows his place. He is also firmly placed in the middle of all the
 other characters, with regards to social status, and he is generally polite, rarely speaks out
of manner and is therefore tolerated and accepted.
A similar opportunity showed itself within the characterization of his narrator, Nick.
Nicks reluctance to enter into a relationship with Jordan was not sufficiently justified by
the girl back home routine. No attempt at all was made to explain why Nick found
himself at the bedside of an effeminate man, who was in his underwear. Nor did
Fitzgerald explore Nicks admiration for Gatsby on what seemed to be a more physical
basis than of friendship; Nick made frequent schoolgirl-like references to Gatsby, but
there didnt seem to be much reason for a friendship.
Overall, regarding the class and gender aspects of the novel, Carraway is largely
unimportant. He is a witness, and his role is to give the reader a means to observe the
other characters.
3. Tom Buchanan Portrayal
Tom Buchanan represents another old money, that is the established upper class.
He could be said to fill the role of the novel's antagonist, if such a term could be applied.
He is portrayed almost exclusively in a negative light. Shortly after we are introduced to
the character, he brings up a supposedly scientific account on how we're Nordics, we
produced all the things that go make civilization, and how we have to prevent the
inferior races from taking over. It is up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out
for these other races will have control of things.
Tom is obligated to support his family, especially his wife Daisy and his litle
daughter, until she finds a husband. Because Tom was the only male in his small family,
he had to assume household responsibilities, as most men did for their families.
Ultimately, Tom exposes their masculinity by obtaining the duties of being in charge of
their families. Customarily, man masculinity is defined through his wealth, occupation,
or means of work. Throughout society, it is a stereotype that if a man makes a sufficient
amount of money.
Mr. Buchanan is also hypocritical with regards to both social status and gender. He
is generally skeptical of new money millionaires like Gatsby, and frequently makes
negative remarks about bootleggers, claiming that Gatsby most likely is one. (A lot of
these newly rich are just big bootlegger's you know.2). However, he also drinks, on
nearly all social occasions. Near the end of the novel, before the Buchanan, Gatsby,
Carraway and Baker go on their trip to New York, he brings with him a bottle of
whiskey: Tom came out the house wrapping a quart bottle of whiskey.3 Presumably
 willing to drive under the influence, he also reveals his need to be discreet about his
alcohol consumption in light of prohibition, and hides the bottle in a towel.
4. Jordan Bakers Masculinity Portrayal
In the Great Gatsby, we see that the character of Jordan Baker is quite different from
other women of her time. She has beliefs and values that are radically different from
everybody else's. Through her actions, it is clear that she represents the emergence of a
different type of woman, one who is self sufficient, in the 1920's.
Jordan Baker, Daisy's friend, is portrayed by Fitzgerald as a masculine figure. One
of the first things we find out about this woman is the fact that she is a professional golf
player. In the twenties, it was quite unusual to find a woman playing golf. She is
described as a "slender, small breasted girl with an erect carriage which she accentuated
by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet." Small breasts are
usually symbolic of a masculine figure, as would being a "young cadet." Later on, we see
her reading the Saturday Evening Post, and turning the pages with a "flutter of slender
muscles in her arms." Reading a newspaper would be an unlikely action of a woman of
that time, and even her muscles reveal her masculine features.
Fitzgerald's masculine depiction of Miss Baker in this fashion shows the reader the
coming of a self sufficient woman into our times. In addition to Jordan's physical
features, her beliefs and values show that she is far from a typical woman of the time. At
her first big golf tournament, there had been speculation concerning Jordan moving her
ball from a bad lie, indicating her defiance of the rules of the game as well as her habits
of being dishonest and being a cheater. Many women of this time would not find the
need to cheat and be dishonest, and therefore it just shows Miss Baker's ability to free her
from conformity, to do what she believes and feels is right.
The only hint of a role reversal is in the pair of Nick and Jordan. Jordan's
androgynous name and cool, collected style masculine her more than any other female
character. However, in the end, Nick does exert his dominance over her by ending the
relationship.
Conclusion

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby", characterizes issues related to the gender
roles and the reflection of the patriarchal society set forth. Traditional gender roles are easily
defined in The Great Gatsby through the male and female characters.
Throughout the novel, there are distinct between gender role between men and women.
They both are different but in many ways they share the same role. The role of men is
supposed to be the provider and also they have to control their life and everything around
them including their wives. As for the men, theirs is the role of bringing home the paychecks,
although Tom's money is old money and he just spends. The men all chase women in one
way or another. This identifies that male characters behavior always conform to their
assigned genders.
The women in this novel are usually the victim to the abuse but they are also gaining
independence and they tend to do whatever they want with no relationship ties. Both the
gender cheat on the spouses and don not think anything is wrong with it. They both also
waste their getting drunk and doing parties. One of the female characters, Jordan Baker, is
quite different from other women of her time. She is portrayed by Fitzgerald as a masculine
figure since she is a professional golf player which was quite unusual to find a woman
playing golf at that time. She assigns herself a role of gender transgression and excessive
sexuality.
In summary, Scott Fitzgeralds novel displays an ambiguous attitude toward the greater
freedom for women. It set the role of woman was moving on to make a drastic change. The
change from the patriarchy to the right of gaining independence that leads to be feminist.
Therefore, women play a paradoxical role in Fitzgeralds the Great Gatsby, while men is the
source of wealth and the controller of woman life and everything around them including their
wives.

Reference

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. 1925. The Great Gatsby.

Tyson, Lois (Ed.). 2006. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide (Second ed.). New
York: Routledge.