Gender

Question 1

Mrs. Wilson sexualised, even after her tragic death

Answer 1

“Her left breast was swinging loose like a flap and there was no need to listen for the heart beneath. The mouth was wide open and ripped at the corners as though she had choked”

Question 2

• Nick doesn’t even say “the Buchanans,” just the “Tom Buchanans”?
• This is evidence that Gatsby’s love for Daisy no longer exists
• This is evidence that Daisy, a woman, belongs to Tom

Answer 2

“I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchanans”

Question 3

• Daisy thinks that the best a girl can do is to be dumb enough not to realize how awful her life is

Answer 3

“I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

Question 4

Women have words. Men have fists.

Mrs. Wilson is a strong woman, doesn’t care what Tom says

Answer 4

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. “

Question 5

Myrtle’s already dead, but we have to wonder: would Wilson have killed her, too? Is he avenging his wife’s honor—or her death?

Answer 5

“the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete.”

Question 6

You get the feeling that Fitzgerald thinks that women are fundamentally incapable of making up their minds, and so they have to have a man do it for them.

Answer 6

“Within her was crying for a decision… the decision must be made by some force – of love, of money”