Feminist criticism examines the power dynamics between genders and how literature reflects them. In the 1920s, there were significant changes aimed at challenging gender inequality. This era witnessed shifts not only in politics but also in social norms, as women embraced more daring fashion choices and took risks. The confusion experienced by many men during this time is evident in The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the newfound sexual and social freedoms of the 1920s, while maintaining a strong anti-feminist stance throughout the novel. Fitzgerald presents women as minor figures in society, dependent on men and reduced to mere symbols of status. Even Nick remarks on the lack of distinctiveness among the female characters, describing Catherine, Myrtle’s sister, as having a “blurred air” to her face (34), and noting that all the women at Gatsby’s parties look alike. Nick perceives and acknowledges that women intentionally make themselves indistinguishable and appear unintelligent to cater to men.
Daisy also embodies this same role as she famously declares, “that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (17). She represents a product of Fitzgerald’s belief in a system that undervalues women’s intelligence. Both Daisy and Myrtle adhere to the societal expectations of femininity in 1920s America to avoid conflicts. The novel suggests that the more freedom women obtain, the more destructive and detrimental their lives become. An example of this is seen in Myrtle’s actions, as she is disloyal and deceitful towards her husband, which ultimately leads to her being fatally struck by her lover’s wife. Fitzgerald cleverly utilizes hidden symbolism when he mentions that her “left breast was swinging loose like a flap” (137), as the heart is located beneath the left breast. By incorporating this symbolic detail, Fitzgerald implies that because Myrtle was consumed by newfound freedoms, both sexual and social, ironically it leads to her demise.
Even though Daisy’s consequences are not as terrible as Myrtle’s, she disobeys her husband and admits that she “loved him once – but loved [Gatsby] too” and as a result, they lead a “[not] happy… yet… [not] unhappy” life, returning to her captive position. All of this shows that going against the social norms imposed on women leads to a perpetually unhappy life. In The Great Gatsby, men are portrayed as wealthy, often abusive, possessive providers – a reflection of the older society before women gained their freedom. Tom reveals his violent nature when he breaks Myrtle’s nose with a “short, deft movement” of his hand. Fitzgerald’s abrupt language emphasizes that such violence is normal and holds little significance to Tom and society. Furthermore, Jay Gatsby spends the last five years of his life striving to possess Daisy, treating her like a possession. It is not enough for her to express love for Gatsby; she must also claim to have “never loved [Tom]” (132). Gatsby subconsciously seeks power and control over Daisy while clinging to a past where women lacked the right to vote.
In the novel, Fitzgerald focuses on women and their role before suffrage. He depicts women as engaging in secretive and sadistic love affairs, which are abruptly ended by their husbands once their unfaithful and deceitful behavior is revealed. This portrayal suggests that Fitzgerald, like many others during that time, believed that women were essentially the property of men. Furthermore, it implies that the more freedom women gained, the more they seemed to embrace evil.
