Money and Power in Gatsby
Donald E. Hall, author of Literary and Cultural Theory, comments on, " The Freudian construction of women as 'castrated,' inferior versions of men". He writes "The penis, which is considered the marker of ultimate value, [is] one the girl lacks and the possession of which she will envy" (104-7). In other words, females are not truly envious of the penis, but the power that the penis symbolizes. Upon first reading The Great Gatsby, the reader may think the text is about the Marxist view of how different social classes strive to reach the American Dream. However, the reader will determine the novel is really about Jordan Baker and Daisy Buchanan's deficiencies and their lack of power in society. By applying a psychoanalytic analysis, the reader will see how Fitzgerald uses different levels of power between the men and women characters, and how women are willing to cheat and lie to compensate for not having the power or abilities of a man to secure their spot among the aristocracy class.Although Fitzgerald introduces Jordan Baker as a minor character, he uses her character to show the struggle for existence many women have in a
In conclusion, money means power. People without money are subject to the wealthy's dominance. For this, Jordan cheats to establish power and Daisy is able to substitute love with money and allows her husband to take advantage of her. Even though things were changing in the 1920's, evidence of the power and control of the upper class male has due to money is evident. Tom demonstrates his power with his emotional control over Daisy, the physical abuse to Myrtle, and the lack of respect he shows towards Mr. Wilson. Gatsby also realizes money is power. The only reason that he works so hard to become a member of the upper class is to win Daisy back and to buy the past five years back he missed with her. Clearly, by viewing the novel through a psychoanalytical analysis, the reader is able to see that Daisy and Jordan lack the necessity it takes to be powerful and compensates by lie and cheating. Like many women in Daisy position, women will substitute love for money, because with money along comes power. Fitzgerald characterize Tom is this quote to show the reader that Tom is a dominating and aggressive character. He also writes this not to really show how big of a man he is, but to symbolize the power he controls. His aggression is his most dominant feature, which you are able to see in all aspects, even when he walks. The narrator states, "In his alert, aggressive way, his hands out a little from his body as if to fight off interference, his head moving sharply here and there, adapting itself to restless eyes" (179). Fitzgerald summarizes his walk to show the arrogance and swagger Tom possesses, and to demonstrate the power he has. He even displays his dominance over Jay Gatsby, when he tells Nick, " I'd been making a small investigation of his [Gatsby's] past" (122). Tom informs Nick of his investigation to degrade Gatsby in Nick's eyes, and to make himself appear a more powerful man than Gatsby. man's world. Jordan is a beautiful pro golfer, trying to establish herself in a historically male sport th
Some common words found in the essay are:
Tom Buchanan, Tom Gatsby, Jordan Baker, Jay Gatsby, Gatsby Nick's, Cultural Theory, Daisy Myrtle, Daisy Buchanan's, Fitzgerald Tom's, Wilson Gatsby, money power, upper class, jay gatsby, love money, tom buchanan, substitute love money, reader able, fitzgerald writes, jordan baker, novel fitzgerald, analysis reader,
Approximate Word count = 1364
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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