Question
How are gender roles and relationships presented in both The great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller?
Answer
Both “The Great Gatsby” and “Death of a Salesman” explore gender roles and relationships within the context of their respective societies. “The Great Gatsby” challenges traditional gender norms and highlights the victimisation of women in a patriarchal society, while “Death of a Salesman” adheres more closely to traditional roles, emphasising the pressures on men to succeed and the supportive, yet limited, roles of women. Together, these works provide a nuanced examination of gender dynamics and the societal forces that shape them.
Gender roles and relationships in “The Great Gatsby” include:
Subversion of traditional gender norms: In “The Great Gatsby,” traditional gender roles are both challenged and reinforced. The novel subverts the binary opposition between masculinity and femininity, as seen through characters like Gatsby and Nick, who navigate a society with rigid social norms (Lu, 2010). The portrayal of women, such as Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and Jordan Baker, highlights their victimisation in a male-dominated society. These women are depicted as products of oppressive forces, often treated as objects by powerful men, reflecting the limited options available to women for achieving success and happiness (Alguzo, 2022). The novel also explores the concept of the “New Woman,” a post-World War I figure who defies patriarchal norms but still faces societal discomfort and dependency on men (Alanazi and Alanazi, 2022).
Patriarchal capitalism and male relationships: The relationships between men in “The Great Gatsby” are influenced by patriarchal capitalism, which shapes their sexuality and social interactions. The novel reveals ambivalence about male bonds, particularly through the dynamics of mentoring, which are both loving and abusive (Froehlich, 2011). This reflects the broader societal unease with changing gender roles and the struggle for male characters to assert their masculinity in a rapidly evolving world (Auma and Okumu, 2024).
Feminism and masculinism: The novel presents a confrontation between masculinism and feminism, highlighting conflicts over society, family, love, and money. Women in the novel protest against male superiority and pursue individual liberation, while men exhibit egotism and moral pride. This dynamic reflects the ongoing challenge to patriarchal society by feminist ideals in the 1920s (Li et al., 2015).
Gender roles and relationships in “Death of a Salesman” include:
Traditional gender roles and family dynamics: In “Death of a Salesman,” traditional gender roles are more rigidly adhered to, with male characters like Willy Loman embodying the struggle to fulfill societal expectations of masculinity. Willy’s identity is tied to his role as a provider, and his failure to achieve success leads to personal and familial conflict. The play highlights the pressure on men to conform to ideals of power and strength, often at the expense of their emotional well-being.
Women’s roles and limitations: Women in “Death of a Salesman,” such as Linda Loman, are portrayed as supportive figures who maintain the household and provide emotional support to their husbands. Linda’s role is largely defined by her relationship to Willy, and her character exemplifies the limited agency afforded to women within the domestic sphere. The play underscores the societal expectation for women to be nurturing and self-sacrificing, often at the cost of their own aspirations.
References
Lu, Z., 2010. Gender Reversal in The Great Gatsby. **.
Alguzo, N., 2022. The Image of Women as Victims in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Jordan journal of applied sciences-Humanities Science Series. https://doi.org/10.35192/jjoas-h.v31i1.261
Froehlich, M., 2011. Gatsby’s Mentors: Queer Relations between Love and Money in the Great Gatsby. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 19, pp. 209 – 226. https://doi.org/10.3149/jms.1903.209
Li, Bao-feng, Jia and Xue-ying., 2015 “On the Confrontation Between Masculinism and Feminism in The Great Gatsby.” , 12 (2015): 874-880. https://doi.org/10.17265/1539-8072/2015.11.011.
Alanazi, M., & Alanazi, M., 2022. The Great Gatsby and the Unwelcome Entrance of the New Woman. **.
Auma, K., & Okumu, C., 2024. Gender Stereotype in Tess of The D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. East African Journal of Education Studies. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.7.4.2222
Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions.
Miller, A. (1949). Death of a Salesman. London: Penguin Classics.
