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When reading a literary work, one can choose to read with a Literary Lens, showing a deeper meaning to the work. When the Feminist Lens is applied to “The Great Gatsby” Daisy Buchanan becomes a symbol for the danger of subjugating and objectifying women. Daisy is portrayed as inferior and useless, so when reading “The Great Gatsby” through the Feminist Lens the danger of chauvinism Is Illustrated. In “The Great Gatsby’ Daisy Buchanan Is the housewife of Tom Buchanan.
Daisy and Tom live In a society where women are suppressed and people live by the Idea that the best thing a girl can be In this world [Is] a beautiful little fool” (Gatsby, 21). Daisy allows her husband, Tom, to have an affair, but when Tom finds out that Daisy was with Jay Gatsby he realizes that Daisy Is equivalent to Tom In her actions and “If that’s the Idea” of what society has come to then Tom wants to be “[counted] out” (Gatsby, 124). Evidently, In Toms eyes, as well as the rest of society, men and women have different standards and values. Daisy treated Additionally, Daisy’s character is objectified.
Daisy is portrayed as a fragile woman ho needs a man by her side. Daisy stays home alone until Tom comes home to join her again: this inability to be independent keeps Daisy from growing or developing to be anything besides a housewife. Antithetically, Jordan Baker illustrates “exhibition of complete self-sufficiency [and this] draws a stunned tribute [from Nick Caraway] (Fitzgerald, 132). Jordan is a successful woman who shows the positivist of women being independent. Similarly, the harm of women in a world without feminism is evident by the way that Tom treats his wife, Daisy and his mistress, Myrtle.
When Tom gets into a fight with Myrtle, Myrtle tries to stand up for herself against Tom but when she does, Tom “[breaks] her nose with his open hand”(Fitzgerald, 125). Tom is allowed to treat Myrtle and Daisy however he chooses is fit and both women accept Tom’s behavior. The verbal and physical abuse that Tom is allowed to inflict is a message of the harm that suppressing women can lead to. Daisy’s role illustrates the discomfort of women in a time with no feminism. Daisy is simply portrayed as weak, fickle, and inferior and is able to be treated however men see it fit.
When reading through the Feminist lens, The Great Gatsby is a strong message of the danger in a place and time where feminism is non-existent. To help women continue to develop, our society can learn from what Fitzgerald was trying to prove and push women to succeed with equal opportunity. Gatsby’ Daisy Buchanan becomes a symbol for the danger of subjugating and Great Gatsby’ through the Feminist Lens the danger of chauvinism is illustrated. In “The Great Gatsby’ Daisy Buchanan is the housewife of Tom Buchanan. Daisy and
Tom live in a society where women are suppressed and people live by the idea that “the best thing a girl can be in this world [is] a beautiful little fool” (Gatsby, 21). Daisy with Jay Gatsby he realizes that Daisy is equivalent to Tom in her actions and “if that’s the idea” of what society has come to then Tom wants to be “[counted] out” (Gatsby, who needs a man by her side. Daisy stays home alone until Tom comes home to Join her again; this inability to be independent keeps Daisy from growing or developing to Tom gets into a fight with Myrtle, Myrtle tries to stand up for herself against Tom but