In the two novels The French Lieutenant's Woman by Fowles, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the authors give life to two women; Sarah in The French Lieutenant's Woman and Daisy in The Great Gatsby. These women live very different lives, but even though the differences in this case outnumber the similarities, the two ladies still have some common characteristics. Also, more importantly, they also have some similar functions in the novels.

One similarity between Sarah and Daisy is that they both have very complex characters. Sarah is mystery personified. In the beginning of the book the reader is told a little about Sarah and what she has experienced, and it seems within reach to be able to understand her. However, as one reads on, Sarah appears more and more complex and what seems clear in the beginning is fairly misty at the end of the book. Sarah, more than once, surprises the other characters and the reader by saying or acting in an utterly surprising and unexpected way. One example of this is when Sarah confesses to Charles that she had lied when she said that she did not mean to be seen coming out from "the Undercliff": "'I have told you a lie, I made sure Mrs Fa

Whereas Sarah is an enigma almost throughout the book, Daisy seems to be easier to comprehend. However, even though no single one of her characteristics is very complex in itself, the multitudes of different characteristics turn her into a very complex character as well. The first time she is introduced in the novel, is when Nick visits the Buchanans' in the very beginning of the book. In that episode, she appears to be a fairly happy young woman, a perfect match with the upper class. Daisy also appears to be a product of the "roaring "20's" that they live in. Women then, were not supposed to be educated or have a job and hence she is depending on her husband, Tom, to support her. The following quote if from when Daisy first meets Nick: "'I'm p-paralysed with happiness.' She laughed again, as if she said something very witty, and held my hand for a moment, looking up into my face, promising that there was no one in the world she so much wanted to see. That was the way she had" (7). However, it does not take long before one realises that Daisy is not quite as happy and well adjusted as Fitzgerald first made her appear. In fact she is very unhappy with her life and knows that her husband is seeing someone else. Later on in the novel, Daisy shows evidence of both a strong will, and the total lack of it. On example of this is when they are all gathered at the Buchanans' on a very hot day: "' But it's so hot,' insisted Daisy, on the verge of tears, 'and everything's so confused. Let's all go to town!'"(95). Daisy does get her will through, but once there she does not have the strength or courage to stand against Tom: "'Daisy's leaving you.' 'Nonsense.' 'I am, though,' she said with a visible effort. 'She's not leaving me!'...'I won't stand this!' cried Daisy. ' Oh, please let's get out.' Daisy also switches personality, from being innocent and harmless, to being aggressive full of temper and sometimes out of control. One notices this in a number of scenes in the book, for e

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Approximate Word count = 1337
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)