How Did F Scott Fitzgerald Use Sexism In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby which reflects the extravagance of the roaring twenties. Fitzgerald grew up facing adversity, but gained success from his publishings. Just as Gatsby’s reign of wealth and fame came to an end, Fitzgerald soon became an alcoholic. Fitzgerald wrote his third novel, The Great Gatsby, based off his own life experiences. Throughout his life he faced many obstacles that are mirrored in the lives of the characters in the novel. Growing up, he was constantly aware of the lack of privilege and wealth surrounding his family. Nick faces the same struggle to fit in socially because he lacks wealth and social status. Similarly, his relationship with Zelda was tainted by his adultery which he acknowledges as acceptable for men, but not for women. The sexism that Tom’s character exudes shows Tom’s underlying morals. The Great Gatsby resembles a reflection of

It was socially acceptable for a man to cheat on his wife, but not acceptable for a wife to cheat on her husband; reinforcing stereotypical gender roles. This is shown in The Great Gatsby when Tom is angered by Daisy cheating on him with Gatsby, but he thinks that Daisy should be completely fine with him cheating on her. He is so angered by her cheating and his mistress death that he can be blamed as the cause of Gatsby’s death. In the 1920s, if a woman cheated on her husband it was considered scandalous, but it is expected for a man to cheat on his wife. The reader can clearly see the guilt on Daisy’s conscious when she first decides to be with Gatsby, this is shown because women were made to feel guilty in the 1920s. "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife” (Fitzgerald 130). This clearly shows that there is a double standard between men and women about cheating. The“Mr. Nobody” in the quote is referring to Gatsby and his relationship with