Stereotypes In The Great Gatsby

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Throughout history, societal pressures consistently change creating the need to fit into what is expected. Throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the interactions between male and female depicts the various social pressures and expectations of the time. Two of the main male characters of the novel, Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby, employ rhetorical devices in order to describe the stereotypical male figure. Due to this, Daisy Buchanan’s character is ultimately the shadow of the two prominent male figures. The surface of all three characters fits into societal expectations, however their underlying attitudes struggle with the concept of stereotypical roles. Ultimately, the novel The Great Gatsby exposes the struggles with the …show more content…
Seeming as if he was the perfect husband, wealthy and athletic, Tom fit into the mold of Old Money expectations. However, underneath this idealistic persona, Tom was arrogant and one sided. His relationship with Daisy, for example, was characterized by abuse and a lack of love between one another. On the surface of this relationship, everything seemed well for they were well-off and attractive, yet Tom’s abusive ways became apparent as he, “broke her [Daisy] nose with his open hand” (Fitzgerald 41). While their family fit into the mold of society, the Buchanan’s struggled with their lack of passionate connection to one another, ultimately destroying the idea of a stereotypical family. Tom’s abuse ways surpassed the societal expectation of masculinity, leading it to a new, more aggressive level. Additionally, Tom’s actions try to prove that he is the superior to Daisy. This idea of superiority leads back into the societal pressures of the time. The male was supposed to be the leader of the relationship, while the women followed along. Tom’s masculinity turned to impulsiveness as he learns of Daisy’s affair, saying, “I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere to make love to his wife” (Fitzgerald ). Through this sarcastic remark, the reader is able to understand how Tom sees everyone as simply …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, depicts the societal expectations that were pressured onto many American’s of the time. Through his character’s Tom Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan, Fitzgerald utilizes their relationships to show how stereotypical roles were not always fulfilled despite having looked as if they were. With the use of rhetorical devices, the novel leads the reader to an understanding of the characters thoughts on justifications to their actions. These expectations of society affect all three characters, consuming their mind with the image of a perfect
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