Misogyny is the systematic hatred of women. Misogynistic portrayals in literature tend to present female characters as physically, mentally, emotionally, or morally deficient. The Great Gatsby has three major female characters: Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, and Myrtle Wilson, all of whom display moral corruption and have a negative impact on the male characters of the novel. Although the male characters in the novel are depicted as complex individuals with varying degrees of morality, the female characters do not receive the same treatment.
Jordan Baker is defined by her dishonesty, having earned media attention after she cheated in a golf tournament. Although she is in a relationship with Nick Carraway, she remains emotionally detached and incapable of sincerity. Fitzgerald depicts Jordan as the typical 1920s flapper, who rejects traditional morals in pursuit of material, and particularly sensual, pleasure.
Daisy Buchanan, a close friend of Jordan who shares many of her personality traits, is the character who causes Jay Gatsby's downfall. Gatsy's desire to win Daisy's love and admiration leads him to transform himself from a poor farmboy into an Oxford scholar and wealthy businessman. Fitzgerald objectifies her, making her a symbol of the American Dream and the prize that Gatsy works so hard to obtain, despite the fact that she is currently married to another man. Her loveless marriage to her unfaithful husband Tom represents the failure of traditional domestic ideals. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy eventually leads to his death, positioning Gatsby as a tragic hero and Daisy as the stereotypical temptress.
Myrtle Wilson is the wife of a mechanic, who seeks to achieve social mobility by becoming Tom Buchanan's mistress. She, too, represents the failure of traditional values; however she pays the ultimate price for her sins. Although Tom showers her with gifts, he also physically abuses her. When she runs out into the road to meet Tom, she is fatally struck by Gatsby's automobile, with Daisy at the wheel. Fitzgerald uses the incident to illustrate how women who are materialistic and immoral are both dangerous, causing the death of others, and doomed to misery and death themselves.
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Tom’s physical abuse of his mistress, Myrtle, reveals his need for dominance over women. When Myrtle mentions Daisy’s name, Tom’s extreme anger causes him to break “her nose with his open hand.” (37) Tom’s need to exert physical control over Myrtle emphasizes his sexist need for control. His infuriation over her mentions of Daisy illustrate his inability to see Myrtle beyond an object for his sexual gratification. Furthermore, his immediate invalidation of his mistress’s accusations of infidelity portray his ignorance of female opinions, again exemplifying his need for dominance over the women in his life. Moreover, Tom’s disregard for Daisy and their family by having an affair further emphasizes his lack of respect for women. Additionally, Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy’s wealth displays his glorification of money and reveals his view of Daisy as a tool to break out of the confines of poverty. While describing Daisy as a “nice girl,” Gatsby focuses on her “rich house” and “rich, full life.” (149) His fixation on her material wealth reveals his identification of her as a means to achieve his desired success. This objectification of Daisy further highlights the overall dehumanization of women. Tom’s marginalization of Myrtle and Gatsby’s advantageous use of Daisy illustrate the ultimately negative and condescending attitude toward women throughout society, particularly in the wealthiest…
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