Feminism applied to the great gatsby free essay sample

Feminism was recognized in the early 1600s, but it really played in affect in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Most of feminism is based on the ways in which literature reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women. Feminist theories are based on the assertion of male supremacy. The theory of feminism is sought to emphasize the negative depiction of women within literature. Throughout the different types of literature, feminism is present. In the novel The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald feminism plays a big role within two supposedly happily married couples. Feminism was introduced in the nineteenth century, but a more organized one was introduced in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and friends. It was a convention to discuss social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women at Seneca Falls. During this time there were many different beliefs. Some believed women deserved the right to vote due to their maternal virtues, while others believed women and men were equal in endowments. We will write a custom essay sample on Feminism applied to the great gatsby or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One of their major accomplishments during this time was the passing of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Elizabeth and her friends weren’t the only contributors to the women’s suffrage movement there was others. Mary Wollstonecraft, Susan B. Anthony, Victoria Woodhull, Frederick Douglas, and Ida B. Wells were also major contributors to the women’s suffrage. Mary Wollstonecraft has been given the honor of being called â€Å"first feminist† or â€Å"mother of feminism. † She’s considered a liberal feminist because of her approach. Liberal feminism is more of an individualistic form of feminism theory. It primarily focuses on a woman’s ability to maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they were building on more equal necessary working conditions in America during WWII. The National Organization for Women (NOW) formed in 1966 to cohere feminist political activism. Prominent feminists like Betty Friedan formed the NOW. This group was made up of predominately of older white, college-educated women. In 1963 Betty Friedan published the book The Feminine Mystique. Her book describes the dissatisfaction and depression among American housewives. This documented emotional and intellectual oppression that middle-class women were experiencing because of their limited life options. In 1964 a Civil Rights Act was passed prohibiting employment discrimination based on sex as well as race and religion. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents three different women in a vilifying manner. Daisy is weak and carless, Jordan is dishonest and haughty, and Myrtle is just unfaithful. Throughout this book all three of these women go through a lot of changes. Nick described Jordan as incurably dishonest. Nick’s concerning the dishonesty in Jordan depicts the way in which throughout the novel, women’s flaws are almost absolved. It also supports that women do not have the same moral values as men because they are inferior it is therefore not their fault. Jordan Baker plays the role of Daisy’s friend in this novel. She is a big time competitive golf player. Nick Carraway is Daisy cousin, and he becomes romantically in love with Daisy. She’s cynical, boyish, and self-centered, but amongst all of this she’s beautiful.