The women in the novel, Jordan, Daisy, and Myrtle, are often considered immoral. It is important to assess their behavior in “The Great Gatsby” within the social and cultural norms of the time. Immorality is defined as not adhering to accepted moral standards. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the comparatively low standards of morality in the 1920s when evaluating these women. For instance, the consumption of alcohol at Gatsby’s parties is not portrayed as immoral, despite the ongoing prohibition. The abundance of alcohol even appears natural, emphasizing the disregard for the law, as cocktails are effortlessly available.
Although the consumption of alcohol was prohibited, individuals who partook in it did not necessarily act immorally as they were following societal norms. It is fascinating to ponder the social and cultural elements that impact our viewpoint of these women and whether their actions can be deemed immoral. Both Daisy and Myrtle engaged in extramarital relationships, which unquestionably involves deceit. However, the fact that their marriages were founded on convenience rather than love somewhat rationalizes their unfaithfulness. The book consistently delves into the theme of discontented couples.
In chapter 2, Myrtle openly declares that her husband is incapable of “licking my shoe.” In chapter 3, a woman accuses her husband of wanting to leave “whenever he sees I’m having a good time,” despite the fact that they are actually among the last to leave the party. These examples demonstrate the lack of sincerity in marriages and provide a motive for engaging in affairs. Daisy married Tom because he provided financial stability and comfort. When Jordan reveals Daisy’s reluctance to marry Tom and her deep love for Gatsby, the readers tend to favor Daisy’s relationship with Gatsby.
The text describes the first kiss between Daisy and Gatsby in a romantic setting. The presence of a romantic atmosphere is shown through the phrase “there was a stir and bustle among the stars.” This is in contrast to Tom’s harsh and restless presence. This contrast evokes sympathy for Daisy when she reunites with Gatsby. Furthermore, the pathetic fallacy of the sun shining suggests that their affair was actually the right thing to do, and not immoral. Additionally, Nick implies that women were compelled to engage in immoral actions due to the societal pressures they faced. Therefore, he states that “dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply.”
The comment indicates that women were not expected to possess honesty and morality, offering a fresh viewpoint on Myrtle’s relationship with Tom. It emphasizes the prevalent belief during the 1920s that women were generally considered inferior to men, potentially implying that women needed to be deceptive in order to thrive due to men’s greater influence. This reveals insights into Myrtle’s drive and how she felt obligated to be untruthful in her pursuit of wealth and social standing.
Myrtle desires to be in a relationship with a man of higher social status as she wants to improve her own social standing and gain access to opportunities that are typically limited for people in her class. Moving between social classes was historically challenging, but The American Dream concept made this transformation possible. However, Myrtle’s ambition for upward mobility does not diminish the pain she inflicts on Daisy. Daisy is portrayed as virtuous and beautiful, which evokes more sympathy from the audience. This manipulation of the narrative fosters greater empathy towards Daisy in comparison to Myrtle.
The affair between Myrtle and Tom is not hidden. One night, Myrtle calls the Buchanan’s house while Daisy is there, and Jordan remarks that she believed that everyone knew about it. The affair’s obvious nature diminishes its immorality, but the pain it inflicts on Daisy portrays the situation as immoral overall. This ultimately characterizes Myrtle as immoral, as the affair is her sole connection to the story. When Jordan is introduced, her cold nature is immediately evident, as her eyes are described as “grey,” suggesting that she perceives everything as dull and unremarkable.
In chapter 3, there is an exaggerated image of a character. However, Nick, who is a moral person, still finds her attractive and brings her “scornful mouth” closer to him. Nick prides himself on being one of the few honest men he knows, so it can be argued that Jordan cannot be entirely terrible if someone as meticulously honest as Nick accepts her. Nick describes Jordan as “incurably dishonest,” which implies that she is immoral, as her whole personality seems to revolve around this dishonesty, creating a strong image of immorality.
Daisy expresses to Nick her belief that being a “beautiful fool” is the most desirable trait a girl can possess. This indicates her discontent with the superficial culture of the 1920s. It demonstrates that Daisy is not shallow or vacant; rather, she despises the impersonal attitudes of those surrounding her and wishes for her daughter to be oblivious to it. Hence, this reveals Daisy’s moral compass and deep affection for her loved ones.
Nick believes that Daisy’s voice can imply immorality, as it carries an excitement that is hard for men to forget. This suggests she may have had multiple partners. However, in chapter 6, Nick also recognizes a “warm human magic” in her voice, revealing her compassion and warmth – traits not usually associated with immorality. This potential promiscuity could alternatively be seen as a form of women’s liberation.
In the 1920s, women started to dress in a more provocative way, which symbolized their empowerment and freedom. In chapter 9, Nick notices that Daisy and Tom have a negative impact on others before withdrawing into their money or indifference. Tom holds a dominant role in their relationship, so this last depiction of Daisy does not accurately represent her character as shown throughout the book.
Both Jordan and Myrtle are portrayed as immoral characters. Jordan’s intrinsic dishonesty and coldness contribute to her immorality, leaving no alternative but to view her as such. Similarly, Myrtle’s affair with Tom and her involvement in the immoral New York setting emphasize her immorality as intended by Fitzgerald.
In contrast to Myrtle and Jordan, Daisy is seen as different by Nick. He believes that her moral contrast is linked to her being from West Egg and being “subtly unadaptable” to that way of life. Nick highlights a distinct difference between Daisy and the other women. When confronted with the observation that Daisy speaks softly to make people lean towards her, he dismisses it as an irrelevant criticism. While Daisy may sometimes be portrayed as shallow or promiscuous, it is evident that she does not fit in with the lifestyle of East Egg and does not fully comprehend it.
