Gatsby vs. Passing
Women prior to the 1920's were usually described as proper and prim mannered. This was during a time when women were basically powerless, because they were being controlled by men. During the 1920's though, females began to show some boldness and started to move away from the stereotypes that were placed on them, and strived to live their lives according to their own version of the American Dream. The women of The Great Gatsby and Passing, are portrayed as both reckless and defiant. While women were treated as inferior and were supposed to act proper, the females of the 1920's defied the stereotypes, and broke the social boundaries. The females of The Great Gatsby played important roles in showing the desired cultural identities of the 1920's. Originally, the women were controlled by men, and had basically no say in their own personal affairs. Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. 'Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!' shouted Mrs. Wilson. 'I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-' Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand. (Fitzgerald 41)
the violent and governing Tom broke his girlfriends nose because of the fact that she mentioned his wife's name. Although Mrs. Wilson did not gain power by mocking Tom, her role slightly changes as she decides that she indeed does have to right to speak her mind. Slowly throughout the novel, the women begin to disengage themselves from their standards, and start to take a more loose role in society. The women start to voice their opinions more, and throughout the novel women are drinking and dancing. At Gatsby's untamed parties, the women are intoxicated to the point in which they can no longer walk or act normally. The women even become the center of attention, which was unusual in a time when they were supposed to remain in the background. With a quick perception of the need for immediate safety, she lifted a wavering hand the direction of a cab parker directly in front of her. The perspiring driver jumped out and guided her to his car. He helped, almost lifted her in. She sank down on the hot leather seat. For a moment her thoughts were nebulous. They cleared. 'I guess,' she told her Samaritan, 'it's tea I need. On a roof somewhere.' 'The Drayton, ma'am?' he suggested. 'They do say as
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 811
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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