Sexuality in The Great Gatsby

Sexuality in The Great Gatsby

1. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the most popular American authors of the early 1900’s. His works have gained acceptance and wide acknowledgment amongst not only the American people but across the globe. The Great Gatsby is one such literary work whose popularity only increased after Fitzgerald’s death. In addition to creating a picture of what the American society of the 1920’s looked like, this book also delves into personal traits of characters during this period. This novel exemplifies the social and financial structure of the American people during this time. According to Fitzgerald in this book, America had changed greatly after an influx of a new rich people comprised mainly of those who had fought in World War I. However, this also brought new changes and a decadence of the moral structure of the people. This is the reason why Fitzgerald delves into the theme of sexuality.

Sexuality is a common and highly discussed theme in The Great Gatsby. The writer does not shy away from discussing the sexual lives of the characters since this is the reality they live in. As exemplified by this novel, divorcing the theme of sexuality from other happenings in this book, would be to give an incomplete picture of what is actually happening. The author delves deep into the sexual feelings and preferences of the characters as part of developing the plot of this story. The author begins exfoliating the theme of sexuality in the first chapter of the book. When introduced to the narrator in this chapter, his description of himself is that of a person who upholds high morals and does not offer judgments on other people. In fact, Nick, the narrator is seen as more of a humble and subtle person who would fit more perfectly in the East Egg as opposed to the West Egg where he is currently living. In this chapter, the reader is introduced to the Buchanan family, Tom and Daisy and their friend Jordan Baker. However, their life is more than meets the eye. As they chat and engage in discussions about the book that Tom is currently reading, he receives a call. Both Tom and Daisy dash out of the room and leave Nick and Jordan on their own. At this moment, Jordan takes the opportunity to inform Nick that the call is from Nick’s mistress.

This is the first instance that the reader is introduced to the theme of sexuality in this novel. In this case, it is important to consider what the situation is and what factors are related to this issue. Tom is married to Daisy, who is also Nick’s cousin. In addition to this, Nick and Tom also attended college together meaning that they know each other well and are not just strangers. Tom is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, a married woman who lives in Queens. This is a complicated round up of friends, who have different views on sexuality. It is clear that Daisy knows that her husband is having an affair with Myrtle as is indicated by her hasty leave after Tom picks up the call from Myrtle. Tom easily associates with Nick, who is practically his cousin-in-law and yet he is not even afraid of picking a call from his mistress. In the book, Fitzgerald says that Daisy “suddenly threw her napkin on the table” showing her anger for her husband’s behavior (Fitzgerald 19). The way that Jordan describes Tom’s behavior shows that she is openly disgusted by it. She says that Myrtle “should at least have the decency not to telephone him at dinnertime” (Fitzgerald 20). This is definitely an awkward dinner for Nick, Jordan and the hosts. The idea of everyone publicly knowing that Tom, a married man is having an affair makes their time at dinner very awkward. However, they all seem to be oblivious of this fact and go on with their business as if nothing is happening. In this perspective, the author opens the theme of sexuality as a normal thing among the characters in this story.

The discussion of sexuality is also further explicated in the way that the author describes characters. When Nick Carraway meets Jordan Baker for the first time, he has no idea that Daisy and Tom want them to date. He is however intrigued by her and wants to know more about her. In the novel Nick says, “I enjoy looking at her. She was a slender, small-brested girl with an erect carriage” (Fitzgerald 16). This is a sign of the sexual attraction that existed between Nick and Jordan. He continues, “Her grey sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite reciprocal curiosity” meaning that the attraction was mutual. This kind of sexual description is a common theme in this novel. Although Fitzgerald restrains from using any kind of explicit language, he gives the reader subtle hints that convey the sexual feelings of the characters.

As the author continues to develop the plot of this novel, there emerges another character that is very popular amongst the people of West Egg. In order to build up suspense the author chooses not to introduce Jay Gatsby until the third chapter of the book. This gives the reader motivation to read ahead and build up expectation for Gatsby. More importantly, the theme of sexuality is well-built around Gatsby. Gatsby is in love with Daisy, Tom Buchanan’s wife and has been in love with her since he met her. As he tells Nick his story of love he says that “what redeems Gatsby is his love for Daisy” (Voegeli). It is clear that Gatsby is sexually attracted to Daisy and it does not matter that she is married to Tom. He is ready to do whatever it takes to get her back. Gatsby is very passionate about his feelings for Daisy. He wants everything to be perfect so that he can lure Daisy back to him (Glenn 115). In Nick’s moral uphold, people like Gatsby would not mean much to him. However, as soon as he begins to show his passion for Daisy, Nick changes his opinion about him. Gatsby might have been “shadowed by death throughout most of the novel” but his love for Daisy keeps him alive (Will 1). “The intensity of his longing” influences Nick’s judgment over him and they become friends (Voegeli). In reading this book, a reader almost feels like Nick wants to help Gatsby win the affection of Daisy to pull her away from the manipulative Tom. This clearly shows that one’s sexual desires are not private in this kind of setting.

One of the most important points to note in the discussion of sexuality in this book is the disregard for the institution of marriage. In the modern world, marriage is regarded very highly. More importantly, fidelity is seen as the basis of marriage. In fact, infidelity is seen as one of the major causes of divorce in the modern world. However, in this book, infidelity is somewhat normal in this setting. First, Tom has an affair with Myrtle, a married woman and does little or nothing to hide this fact. Tom receives calls from Myrtle during dinner and takes the call without any hesitation. On the other hand, Myrtle, who is married to Wilson, does not care about the pain she is causing her husband. The idea of sexual relationships happening outside of marriage is a common one in this book. Tom even goes ahead to visit Wilson’s garage just to see Myrtle. They attend a party overnight making it even more obvious about their sexual relationship. In addition to this, Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy is an example of the disrespect for marriage. Gatsby does not even try to respect Daisy’s marriage and goes after her with all he has got. He puts so much effort in getting her back knowing that it would be difficult for her to leave her husband. Nick, who in the first chapter described himself as an upholder of morals, lets his guard down and even helps Gatsby and Daisy meet in secret. He offers them his house and makes all the arrangements possible for them to further their relationship which is for the most part sexual.

In conclusion, sexuality is a commonly discussed issue in this novel. Although the author does not delve into specific sexual encounters between the characters, he gives the reader ideas and hints as to what relationships are going on. In fact, sexuality is a very important issue in the development of this story. This is because it gives the readers something to look forward to. For example, one might have wanted to know whether the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy would end well but unfortunately it ends in tragedy. In this perspective, sexuality becomes a key theme in the understanding of the traits of each character in this novel.

Works Cited

Gatsby and the pursuit of happiness. William Voegeli. Claremont Review of Books. 4.1 (Winter 2003) p69. Word Count: 3205. From Literature Resource Center.

Fitzgerald’s Daisy: The Siren Voice. Settle, Glenn. American Literature, Mar1985, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p115, 10p. (Literary Criticism)

The Great Gatsby and the obscene word. Barbara Will. College Literature. 32.4 (Fall 2005) p125. Word Count: 8701. From Literature Resource Center.

Fitzgerald, F S.. The Great Gatsby. Crows Nest, N.SW: Allen & Unwin, 2007. Print.