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
If you did not have money, then society would consider you less of a man. Tom really has no intention on selling the automobile; he is just leading him on as a way to show Wilson that he has some kind control over his life, and that lower class men don't have power. His aggression is his most dominant feature, which you are able to see in all aspects, even when he walks. 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. Gatsby also realizes money is power. She substitutes love with money by marrying Tom Buchanan, who is a successful college football player and comes from a wealthy family. The thing approached the proportions of a scandal-then died away" (58). The narrator states this, to instill in the reader that Daisy - being married to Tom - feels that her money gives her the power to do as she pleases. She continues to drive on "to let other people clean up the mess" and keep living her life like the accident never happens (181). He degrades Daisy by cheating on her. Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward. She strikes down Myrtle, "like you'd run over a dog and never even stopped" (180). Tom informs Nick of his investigation to degrade Gatsby in Nick's eyes, and to make himself appear a more powerful man than Gatsby. Daisy accepts the fact that he cheats by telling him at Gatsby's party, "If you want to take down any addresses, here's my little gold pencil" (107).
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