The Great Gatsby

One of the questions we covered from the study guide in Earth was how we could differentiate
the women that appeared in the novel, if they came off as strong, weak, or likeable. We also had to
discuss the perspective of women in modern day to women in the 1920s. We looked at the females in
Gatsby and we covered the fact that Daisy and Ms. Wilson came off as weak while Jordan Baker was
more of a strong minded women. Daisy is seen as nave and weak. She does not stand up for herself and
isnt willing to disobey her husband, Tom. Daisy also lacks in experience as opposed to Myrtle Wilson.
Ms. Wilson seems very easy. Being that she is Toms mistress, she isnt very strong. For example, the
night Nick goes over to Myrtles apartment and sees Tom and Ms. Wilson arguing. All of a sudden, Tom
Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand (Fitzgerald 41). Ms. Wilson did not have the courage to
stand up for herself because she loved him too much to be somewhat of the dominant in the
relationship. Jordan Baker is the only strong minded woman in the novel. It shows by the way she
responds to certain situations. She is more of an honest woman, one who isnt afraid to speak her mind.
In the novel, Fitzgerald seems to lack detail with the women in the book. He sort of just includes them
but doesnt really mention a lot about them. For example, he doesnt mention the characteristics of the
women. He also describes the women as weak or easily manipulated by the men in the novel. Back then,
women were looked as a sex symbol. Men were only interested in their beauty and what they had to
offer such as cooking and cleaning. Never did they think that women were smarter than them. In todays
society women are seen as more outspoken and with rights just like men. Of course, not everyone takes
us serious but for the most part some of us no longer follow tradition like cooking for their man or
cleaning and staying home. Some of us females have learned to become independent and successful
more so than men in certain aspects.