...Because they are treated like objects, the women from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald wield little power over their own lives, are abused, and are regarded as men’s trophies. Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle exemplify the struggles of the women of the 1920’s. Whether they are abused, treated like property, or being controlled, the women of The Great Gatsby have difficult lives no matter how they may appear. Daisy Buchanan’s life may seem perfect on the outside, but in reality she has a dysfunctional marriage and other adverse struggles she hides by being oblivious. Daisy is aware of her husband’s unfaithfulness, but uses ignorance to disguise it. She also knows that her daughter could have the same fate, and says, “‘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 17) In addition to cheating on his wife, Daisy’s husband, Tom,...
Words: 681 - Pages: 3
...The Great Gatsby Oct 26, 2012 “Dishonesty” Dishonesty in a relationship exists when one person withholds or manipulates information about themselves or others and presents the facts as a truth. Being dishonest or bending the truth may seem favorable initially, but when the truth is finally revealed, you will have to spill back on more lies which will eventually push the relationship further apart. The Great Gatsby is a novel that shows the reader slyness and fraud around every corner. All of the main characters are dishonest people who portray their lives as nothing more than living in a self obsessed world while making adolescent decisions about love; all these people care about is living in the now. They lie, cheat, and deceive. This was a time when the economy was booming, spreading prosperous jobs in big town cities. This era saw the large-scale diffusion and use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, electricity, and unprecedented industrial growth. People dreamed big, and expected better. Everyone was breaking traditions and experimenting with advanced and diverse goods. Fitzgerald depicts Nick Carraway as a moral guide throughout a novel infused with lies and deception. Fitzgerald utilizes many themes throughout the book; truth versus lies, illusion versus reality, or compassion versus apathy. Within the novel, virtually all of the main characters are dishonest to others or to themselves, which exposes each character’s true self to the reader. Deception...
Words: 1577 - Pages: 7
...Jordan Baker, a attractive, young, and flirtatious female golfer, can best be described as the color yellow. Yellow has many interpretations, and such negative ones like, “dishonesty, cowardism,...and egoism” (Grok) characterize Jordan. In The Great Gatsby, the narrator, Nick, states that “She is incurably dishonest. She wasn’t able to endure being at a disadvantage” (58). Just moments before in the novel, Nick remembers a scandal that Jordan was deeply involved in. She had cheated in a golf tournament and later denied it, simply because she it necessary to win. Jordan also has “autumn-leaf yellow hair” (17) which could be seen as an intentional trait made by Fitzgerald to hint at her personality. Jordan lied about her tournament, which is cowardly, because she could not accept defeat. Ms. Baker is a yellow character, dangerous, a fabricator, and careless....
Words: 558 - Pages: 3
...Jason Lepeska Lippincott English III GT/AP-4 17 January 2013 Research Paper The Great Gatsby was a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, and has motifs of class separation, the hollowness of the upper class, and the decline of the visions of America. The setting is New York City in the summer of 1922. Nick Carraway moves to New York in hopes of finding a job there. Nick has connections in this town, like his cousin daisy, and her husband, Tom. He moves into a home next to a wealthy Jay Gatsby, an extravagant man who loves throwing ridiculous parties. As the summer progresses, Nick finally gets invited to one of these parties, where he learns Gatsby is in love with Daisy. Nick helps set up Daisy and Gatsby, and they start spending time together. Tom gets angry and ends up driving Gatsby to his unfortunate demise. While a Feminist reading provides insight into the novel, Fitzgerald’s emphasis on the separated classes system and the materialistic beliefs of the upper class demonstrates that a Marxist approach to the novel is of more use. Feminism criticizes the patriarchal language used in novels, and how that reflects the masculinity in the novel (“Feminist Criticism”). Feminism also analyzes how status and positions in the novel relate to the contrasting man and woman. It recognizes more traditional writing, like mailman. Men tend to work towards solutions, while women work towards connecting and feelings (“Feminist Criticism”). It is exemplified in the book...
Words: 1831 - Pages: 8
...Within F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby, greed is the root of all evil that people in the American 1920’s society that weaves its ways through the lives of many. Gatsby’s greed is evident over his obsession over Daisy which leads to them to several rash decisions. Tom Buchanan cheats his lovers because of his desire for power. And Meyer Wolfsheim pulls Gatsby down with him over his criminal organization. From this, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, greed plays a prominent and dangerous role through Gatsby’s obsessive desire for Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan’s affair with Myrtle Wilson, and Meyer Wolfsheim’s obsession with crime. During The Great Gatsby,...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6
...Feminist and Lesbian Criticism in The Great Gatsby No novel gives goose bumps to readers without the sparkle of a powerful woman. In the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jordan, Daisy and Myrtle make up the scenario of the feminine force in a world ruled by men. While Daisy and Myrtle are feminine, delicate and live in the constant longing for unconditional love, Jordan is the representation of the modern, feminist woman. Jordan enjoys living life carelessly and does not find it necessary to have a man by her side, she has a masculine appearance and personal characteristics that are commonly found in men, such as dishonesty. According to Lois Tyson, the author of Critical Theory Today, "feminist criticism examines the ways in which literature (...) reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women" (Tyson 83). In The Great Gatsby, while Fitzgerald represents several weaknesses of women through Daisy and Myrtle, he makes Jordan the illustration of Tyson's feminist theory. Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, defines Jordan as "incurably dishonest" (Fitzgerald 64). Some of the events of the novel that demonstrate Jordan's dishonesty are the "incident" that occurs at her first golf tournament, the fact that she keeps information hidden from Daisy, Tom, Nick and Gatsby, even when she is trying to help them, and the fact that she uses bribery and coercion to fix erroneous attitudes, which are characteristics...
Words: 1313 - Pages: 6
...seen as a motherly figure, she is extremely dependent on her husband, Tom. Because Tom is able to support her and their child financially, she chooses him over Gatsby, despite the love they share for one another. In regards to her child, however, she says, “‘I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool,’” (Fitzgerald 17). Through this quote, Daisy shows an understanding to how women are viewed in the world, but she advocates conformity towards gender stereotypes. Unlike Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker is represented as a strong and independent woman; she presents herself as a confident, unmarried athlete, who can support herself and be content without a husband. At this time, Jordan rebels against the idea of only men being allowed to play sports. On the other hand, Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress, is shown as the opportunist of the three, who is disloyal to her husband, George Wilson, and seeks money and fortune. Through the use of female characters, Fitzgerald is able to illustrate the different values of women in the 1920’s to later foreshadow these ideas into a modern...
Words: 1994 - Pages: 8
...Woody Allen once said, “Men learn to love the woman they are attracted to. Women learn to become attracted to the man they fall in love with.” Looks are one of the most important things to men. Because of this, men tend to judge women based on their looks instead of getting to know them. In the 1920’s, where The Great Gatsby is set, many stereotypes against women are present. Women started going to parties, smoking, and wearing shorter skirts. This drastic change from the stereotypical housewife caused many people to view women as foolish and scandalous. When I was a child, I used to believe that everyone was treated equally. Whether it be your race, gender, religion, I always believed that everyone deserves the same amount of respect. But this is clearly not the case with most people and a big reason for this is stereotypes. A siren is a mermaid like creature that is often described as being evil and enchanting. Sirens are known for their magical voices which draw in men for the purpose of viciously destroying...
Words: 1482 - Pages: 6
...described as “that magnificent beast, all power and potency “. After short time an old man and a second younger person, which the narrator believes could be a younger brother, son or maybe a student, yet we do not know, sit beside our main character looking at the same picture. This can be seen in George Stubbs painting called “Whistlejacket” Whistlejacket was a famous and very successful racehorse. This success is what the old man wishes for his younger student. The old man starts talking to the other person about Stubbs with great passion, yet he does not seem very interested and keeps looking at his watch and out of nowhere the scene turns ugly as the young man says “You can’t make a silk purse out of me, I keep telling you” (l. 23) which refers to the proverb: “You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear “ which means that you cannot improve something what is not very good to start with. The chestnut horse symbolizes strength, masculinity and power. It is possible that the older man would have teached the younger man something about these things – to grasp it while you can, because some day you will be old and unable to. That’s how the old mentor would like to change his student. As the younger man leaves the scene the tranquility of the gallery is broken by a bunch of schoolgirls. These girls are described as very young, careless and without interest of the art of the gallery, but more excited about the trip and each other (l. 40). The old man seems very...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...Analysis of “Materialistic Perception” in F. Scot Fitzgerald Using Marxist Literary Criticism Chapter I 1.1 Introduction The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald that follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on prosperous Long Island in the summer of 1922. The story primarily concerns the young and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his quixotic passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Considered to be Fitzgerald's magnum opus, The Great Gatsby explores themes of decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and excess, creating a portrait of the Jazz Age that has been described as a cautionary tale regarding the American Dream. 1.2 State of Problem The Great Gatsby provides a critical social history of America during the Roaring Twenties within its narrative. That era, known for unprecedented economic prosperity, the evolution of jazz music, flapper culture, and bootlegging and other economy struggle that was the result of the materialism and capitalism damaging on social behavior, led to the widespread social distress. 1.3 Theoretical Framework Using literary criticism to interpret what is the ideal life of America in 19th century and what is the dream of American people after World War I. as a Marxist interpretation of the novel makes especially clear, reveals its dark underbelly instead. Through its unflattering characterization of those at the top of the...
Words: 6033 - Pages: 25
...Gender Roles in American Society Femininity and masculinity are topics that have been debated over in our society extensively, through psychological research and day to day interaction with people. Children learn from their parents as well as society the concept of “feminine” and “masculine.” The majority of people tend to believe that these conceptions are biological but I believe it is more cultural and it affects the society that we all live in . From birth, female children are shaped by society as being sweet, caring, loving, and delicate and usually associated with the color pink. While male children are shaped by being tough, aggressive, and competitive and associated with the color blue. As these children grow, the boy is given a football to play with and the girl a Barbie. All of these aspects illustrate how gender socialization takes place early in children’s lives and how society has made it a norm to accept these stereotypes. Although the women's suffrage movement paved the way for great successes in women's history, research shows that women will always be seen as unequal to men. Gender role is a commonly discussed subject in society. Gender role simply defined is a person's inner sense of how a male or female should feel and behave. Society and culture are also very important in relation to this subject. This means different societies and cultures may produce children and later, grown men and women, who have different views of a man or a woman's place...
Words: 1177 - Pages: 5
...critical theory today critical theory today A Us e r - F r i e n d l y G u i d e S E C O N D E D I T I O N L O I S T Y S O N New York London Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2006 by Lois Tyson Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid‑free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑97410‑0 (Softcover) 0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑97410‑3 (Softcover) 978‑0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Tyson, Lois, 1950‑ Critical theory today : a user‑friendly guide / Lois Tyson.‑‑ 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0‑415‑97409‑7 (hb) ‑‑ ISBN 0‑415‑97410‑0 (pb) 1. Criticism...
Words: 221284 - Pages: 886
...Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes for English Literature For first AS Examination in 2009 For first A2 Examination in 2010 Subject Code: 5110 Contents Specimen Papers Assessment Unit AS 2 Assessment Unit A2 1 Resource Booklet Assessment Unit A2 2 1 3 9 15 25 Mark Schemes Assessment Unit AS 2 Assessment Unit A2 1 Assessment Unit A2 2 29 31 61 95 Subject Code QAN QAN 5110 500/2493/0 500/2421/8 A CCEA Publication © 2007 Further copies of this publication may be downloaded from www.ccea.org.uk Specimen Papers 1 2 ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY (AS) General Certificate of Education 2009 English Literature Assessment Unit AS 2 assessing The Study of Poetry Written after 1800 and the Study of Prose 1800-1945 SPECIMEN PAPER TIME 2 hours INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Write your Centre number and Candidate Number on the Answer Booklet provided. Answer two questions. Answer one question from Section A and one question from Section B. Section A is open book. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES The total mark for this paper is 120. All questions carry equal marks, ie 60 marks for each question. Quality of written communication will be assessed in all questions. 3 Section A: The Study of Poetry Written after 1800 Answer one question on your chosen pairing of poets. Heaney: Opened Ground Montague: New Selected Poems 1 John Montague and Seamus Heaney both write about the Irish past. Compare and contrast the two poets’...
Words: 25332 - Pages: 102
...COSMETICS ADOPTION AMONG YOUNG MALE ADULTS IN MALAYSIA CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Problem Background Personal identity is increasingly sought by consumers and one is recognized based on what one consumes (Firat & Venkatesh, 1993). People try to become the being they desire to be by consuming the items that they imagine will help to create and sustain their idea of themselves, their image and their identity (Bocock, 1993). Judgements about individuals are no longer made upon occupation or role in production but rather on what is consumed and how individuals present themselves (Firat, 1993). Through the possession of products, consumers can display their successes reflecting their personal achievement (Mitchell, 1983). Postmodern consumerism is obsessed with appearance and consumption, where style is a substitute for identity and presentation overshadows essence. This concept is part of a culture that have feminized men (Brod, 1995) and considers women and men as equally involved in the practices of consumption (Bocock, 1993). Masculine and feminine differences have been abolished by the postmodern patterns of consumption (Kacen, 2000) and these patterns of consumption are both determined and enhanced by the types of products consumers invest in (Seabrook, 1999). The construction of the male consumer of who they are, of their identity as men, is now achieved as much through style of dress, body care, image and having the right look, as do their female counterparts...
Words: 9857 - Pages: 40
...Beginning theory An introduction to literary and cultural theory Second edition Peter Barry © Peter Barry 1995, 2002 ISBN: 0719062683 Contents Acknowledgements - page x Preface to the second edition - xii Introduction - 1 About this book - 1 Approaching theory - 6 Slop and think: reviewing your study of literature to date - 8 My own 'stock-taking' - 9 1 Theory before 'theory' - liberal humanism - 11 The history of English studies - 11 Stop and think - 11 Ten tenets of liberal humanism - 16 Literary theorising from Aristotle to Leavis some key moments - 21 Liberal humanism in practice - 31 The transition to 'theory' - 32 Some recurrent ideas in critical theory - 34 Selected reading - 36 2 Structuralism - 39 Structuralist chickens and liberal humanist eggs Signs of the fathers - Saussure - 41 Stop and think - 45 The scope of structuralism - 46 What structuralist critics do - 49 Structuralist criticism: examples - 50 Stop and think - 53 Stop and think - 55 39 Stop and think - 57 Selected reading - 60 3 Post-structuralism and deconstruction - 61 Some theoretical differences between structuralism and post-structuralism - 61 Post-structuralism - life on a decentred planet - 65 Stop and think - 68 Structuralism and post-structuralism - some practical differences - 70 What post-structuralist critics do - 73 Deconstruction: an example - 73 Selected reading - 79 4 Postmodernism - 81 What is postmodernism? What was modernism? -...
Words: 98252 - Pages: 394
