The Defiance Of Gender Stereotypes - 933 Words

Naomi Mash Mr. Cole Honors English III 15 October 14 The Defiance of Gender Stereotypes in Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby Throughout the 1920’s, before Women’s Suffrage, women were viewed as inferior, as well as subordinate to males because of many years of patriarchal dominance. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, women are seen as lesser by the male characters, yet show a great sense of power and domination over the actions and storyline. The major plotline of Gatsby’s love for Daisy and the American Dream circulates around the mere factor of the power women have over men. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of women parallels with the 1920’s societal reflections on how men are viewed as dominant, whereas women are treated as second-class citizens. Daisy, Jordan and Myrtle are portrayed poorly through their insouciant view on the world, objectification by their male counterparts and their narcissism, but defy the stereotypes of the 1920’s. In The Great Gatsby, the characters, male or female, let their narcissism control their actions and get the best of them. Daisy is shown to care more about herself than her daughter, flaunting off the child as an object of, not pride, but a reflection of herself. Daisy remarks, â€Å" All right...I m glad it s a girl. And I hope she ll be a fool -- that s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool (Fitzgerald 21), showing that she is aware of her own narcissism and marginalization, yet how she chooses toShow MoreRelatedEssay on Gender Stereotypes in the Merchant of Venice884 Words   |  4 PagesThemes in the Merchant of Venice Gender stereotypes are not a modern notion and as such expectations and limitations have always existed for both men and women. Fortunately women, who have formerly beared great burdens of discrimination, now have very liberated roles in society as a result of slowly shifting attitudes and values. 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