Jordan's Expectations Of Women In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald calls attention to gender inequality of the 20th century. His descriptions of the differences between Jordan and Daisy portray Jordan as an embodiment of the new woman of the 1920s. Jordan epitomizes an unfettered woman and unlike Daisy, is entirely self-sufficient. Jordan’s independence and confidence spark disapproval from Tom and Nick because of her unwillingness to be restricted by their choices. Jordan shapes herself as a self-motivated woman, opposing the actions of Daisy. Daisy defines women based on the expectations of men. When she learns she is having a daughter, she remarks that, “the best thing a girl can be in this world [is] a beautiful little fool’” (17). Before the rise of the self-reliant

Marriage was an important part of life for even the wealthiest women. Daisy’s opinion that a woman should be “beautiful” and a “fool” is a contradiction to the actions of Jordan. Jordan doesn’t allow men to define her, and by no means is she a “fool.” She transcends the limitations that men and women have placed on her. Nick says that he is, “flattered to go places with her, because she was a golf champion” (57). Jordan’s sporting ability leads to her fame, and thus, Nick is “flattered” by her friendship. Her independence and athleticism, two things that weren’t acceptable before the 1920s, are now something to be respected for. Jordan defies the superficial role of a man as an athlete. On one occasion, Nick describes her as, “dressed to play golf [with] her chin raised... jauntily.” At the same meeting, she breaks up with Nick, and when she says she was engaged, he believes that, “there were several [men] she could have married at the nod of her head” (177). When Nick ignores her after a day in the city, she immediately moves along. Rather than asking for his forgiveness, she doesn’t let his choices change her opinions. Even if she is pretending to be engaged, she is showing

Tom once commented that, “[her family] oughtn’t to let her to run around the country this way” (18). He believes that a woman is the responsibility of a man and her family. He is condescending her by implying that “her family” is responsible for her choices. With more rights for women emerging, Tom seems to be angry with the new options that women are embracing. Her newfound independence is met with scorn, as Tom thinks she shouldn’t be allowed “to run around,” Tom’s opinion that a women should be controlled by others is an expected response to Jordan’s confidence. Nick shares a similar distrust of Jordan’s independence. He believes that “she was incurably dishonest.” He also thinks that she “instinctively avoid[s] clever, shrewd men” (57). Nick seems incredibly shocked by the independence of Jordan. Despite acknowledging her athleticism and strength, he finds her self-dependence “dishonest” and somewhat unfairly, believes that she avoids “clever, shrewd men,” showing his feelings that her independence is superficial compared to men. He glosses over her self-sufficiency and her beliefs that men shouldn’t and won’t define her. Her avoidance of clever men may simply be a choice to ensure her independence. Instead of embracing Jordan’s self-determination, he derides her for her ability to challenge stereotypical gender roles. Nick is also surprised by her self-reliance. He says