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, …show more content…
Jordan uses her masculinity to maintain the illusion that she is in control and has power. “She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage, which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet.” (Fitzgerald 11) Although Jordan seems to be a powerful, independent, and talented woman, she lies and cheats to preserve that impression. Even her boyfriend, Nick, confesses that she is deceptive. He says, “She was incurably dishonest. She wasn’t able to endure being at a disadvantage and, given this unwillingness, I suppose she had begun dealing in subterfuges when she was very young in order to keep that cool, insolent smile turned to the world and yet satisfy the demands of her hard, jaunty body.” (Fitzgerald 58) Because of the powerlessness of women in the 1920’s, Jordan feels she must lie, cheat, and use her masculinity to maintain the illusion that she is in control and has