Portrayal of Gender Norms
The Great Gatsby has a central focus on the theme of gender norms. Females in the novel and movie break away or conform tothese social expectations. The female characters include Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle, along with other minor characters. Topics concerning the gender norms of females include: the role of women, independence and dependence, being degraded, and feminism.
Women as Beautiful Little Fools
"She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. 'All right,' I said, '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)
Both Luhrmann and Fitzgerald do not show women in a feminist light in all aspects. Girls are portrayed as “beautiful little fools” in the book and movie. Women are portrayed negatively or lesser than men. Men treat women as property or as objects. Myrtle is a prime example of a woman who is degraded. She is physically abused by Tom, when he breaks her nose. Another example is the "beautiful"Daisy, who is objectified, as she is fought over like a piece of meat by two dogs, Tom and Gatsby. These two men control her life. To portray women in a more respected and equal way, the creators should have made women less dependent on men. The women should have life issues and pursuits that are not solely based on relationships with men.
Empowered Women
"They'll keep out of my way," she insisted. "It takes two to make an accident.'" (Fitzgerald 58)
Jordan Baker pushes the limits that men put on women. She drinks, drives, and parties. Jordan also plays a sport: golf. This shows that she is athletic, too. Jordan says that other drivers will "keep out of” her “way," because, "It takes two to make an accident”. This quote shows that Jordan is a confident driver and breaks the stereotype of women not driving. Feminism was an important role in the novel. In the 1920s, the Jazz age, women became more expressive and pushed for equality. Flappers, fashionable women who did not conform to norms, wore short dresses, cut their hair, wore makeup, drank, and danced.
