1 Analysis on the Issue of Women Oppresssion in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Affroni and Dr. I.M. Hendrarti, M.A. English Department, Faculty of Humanity, Diponegoro University, Semarang, 50275 ABSTRACT The aim of writing “Analysis on The Issue of Women Oppressions in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald” is to show the discrimination on women’s rights in a patriarchal society. This novel is analyzed by using feminism theory. By using the theory, it is found that there are women oppression described in the story. Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson are two main characters who are opressed by the idea and belief applied in the patriarchal society. Meanwhile, Tom Buchanan is described as the main subject of oppression. His appearances and actions throughout the story become the representation of the patriarchal domination. However, the novel also presents Jordan Baker as a female who manages to free herself from the oppression. It is seen from her actions throughout the story which signify women’s transcendences. 1. Introduction The Great Gatsby , a novel written by F. Literary works may be defined as Scott Fitzgerald, tells the issue of women kinds of writings designated to be a work of oppression in patriarchal society as its main. art. Generally, the term Literary works The story revolves around the social condition refers to novel, drama, and poem. The use of of New York and Long Island, where women unbound languages in literary works makes are confined by the system. Thus, making them different from other scientific writings, them unable to develop their personhood and like journals, newspapers, and magazines. to utilize rights. However, the story also Literary works may also be defined as presents Jordan Baker as one of the main a social institution because they represent character, whose existence becomes a the author’s life as a part of the society. manifestation of women’s transcendences to Literary works, along with their complexity, overcome the oppression. present human’s ideas and understanding about the problems dealt by the humans 2. Objectives themselves. The author purposely give In composing this project, the writer human’s moral values as well as aesthetic determines to discuss three problems related to consolations throughout his/her writings. the topic and to be revealed in later discussion, Literary works have many elements amongs them are : which construct them. Aside from the 2.1. To find out the impacts of intrinsic elements, like character and setting, Patriarchy in the society depicted in the extrinsic elements also take a part in The Great Gatsby . constructing the literary works. The 2.2.To explain about the forms of extrinsic elements are usually related with women oppression in The Great literary theories, which are manifested into Gatsby . the story. In The Great Gatsby , the writer 2.3.To prove Jordan Baker’s actions as finds out the depiction of feminism theory. struggles to overcome the women oppression in The Great Gatsby . 2 part of the story, it is described that Nick visits 3. Biography of the Author his acquaintance, Daisy and her husband Tom Francis Scott Key, or known as Francis Buchanan. He is also introduced by the two to Scott Fitzgerald, was born in St. Paul, a golf atlet named Jordan Baker. During his Minnesota, on September 24 th , 1896. He was visit, he heard a rumor about a mysterious, rich the son of Edward Fitzgerald and Mary person named Gatsby. McQuillan. After graduating from the As the time passes, Nick starts to learn Newman School in 1913, Fitzgerald continued the behaviour of Long Island’s society. He is his study at Princeton University to develop first disturbed, knowing that Tom has a his skill as a writer. Fitzgerald was dropped romantic affair with another woman named out of school due to his writing obsession.In Myrtle Wilson. He also learns that people in 1917 he decided to join the U.S. Army. society regard possession as their top priority. Fitzgerald had a romantic affair with Zelda In the midst of the crisis, Nick then meets Jay Sayre, whom he met during his assignment in Gatsby, a kind and wealthy man who lives Alabama. However, they broke off some time next to him. Nick is intrigued by Gatsby’s after that because he could not convince Zelda existence in which Nick thinks as ‘different’ that he could support her. than any other wealthy person. Fitzgerald bad relationship with Zelda Nick then develops a close frienship influenced many aspects of his life. Most of with Gatsby. Later in the story, Nick learns his works’ theme were based on their from Jordan that Gatsby is used to be Daisy’s relationship. However, due to his depression, lover. She informs that Gatsby actually goes to he became addicted to alcohol which affected Long Island in an attempt to rejoin Daisy. his health. Fitzgerald died 1940 of heart attack Nick agrees to help Gatsby by arranging a in December 21st, 1940. He was buried in meeting of the two. Upon their reunion, it is Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Maryland. seen that both Gatsby and Daisy still love each The Great Gatsby was one of other. However, Daisy’s engagement with Fitzgerald’s masterpiece which was published Tom makes it difficult for them to get back in 1925. The novel presented the American’s together. They then decide to secretly continue individualism along with feminism issue their romantic affairs. On the other hand, Nick occured at that time. Fitzgerald put his also gains a relationship with Jordan as a result personal experiences in the novel. He of their intense closeness. portrayed Nick Carraway, the main character As the story goes, Tom becomes aware of the story, as representation of Fitzgerald of Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy. Then, he himself. invites everyone (Daisy, Nick, Gatsby, and Throughout his life, Fitzgerald wrote Jordan) to spent the time together in New many notable works. His major works include York. There, Tom asks both Gatsby and Daisy : This Side of Paradise (1920), The Beautiful whether they have something to hide. Gatsby and Damned (1922), Tender Is the Night reveals his past and explains to Tom that he (1934), and The Love of the Last Tycoon comes to Long Island to get Daisy back. Tom (1941). Some of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short gets angry after hearing the fact and forces stories are : Babylon Revisited (1931), Crazy Daisy whether she wants to stay with him or Sunday (1932), The Curious Case of Benjamin leave with Gatsby. Daisy is terrified. Scared of Button (1921), The Bridal Party (1930), and Tom’s wrath, she finally decides to stay with Winter Dreams (1922). Tom, abandoning Gatsby. After the incident, all of them decides to go back to Long Island. 4. Summary Following their arrival at Long Island, The Great Gatsby tells about the story of Tom, Nick, and Jordan learn about an accident Nick Carraway who moves to Long Island in which causes Myrtle’s death. It is revealed that search for business connections. At the first Daisy is the one who kills her. Tom attempts 3 to save Daisy from the accusation by accusing their true potential as human beings in leading Gatsby as the one responsible for the accident. their own life. In short, it can be said that their Later, Gatsby is murdered by George Wilson rights to act are cut off. They are trapped by (Myrtle’s husband), who wants to make a the comfort given to them. revenge. In other hand, Tom and Daisy are That kind of oppression is depicted by able to free themselves from the guilt by the female characters (except Jordan Baker) in moving to New York. the story. They become too dependent on their Following Gatsby’s death, Nick decides husband because they are not allowed to do the to leave Long Island along with its people. He job. This condition construct their mindset that breaks off with Jordan because their they have to find a financially strong partner in relationship does not work well. In the final order to support their needs. Because they moment, Nick recalls all of the moments he become too dependent on their partner, they had and realizes that Gatsby himself was the consider that being married to a wealthy man only ‘humanity’ which existed in the society. is a must. They are no longer aware of their self-capability. Thus, it makes the society see 5. Review them as weak, secondary citizens. 5.1. Forms of Women Oppression in Society’s perception on women as weak The Great Gatsby human beings, later creates another form of The writer notes that women oppressions oppression. In The Great Gatsby , it is become the important issue depicted in the described that the society prevents them from story. It depicts how women are treated claiming their rights. Most of female unjustly in patriarchal society. The writer characters in the story are depicted as being considers that knowing the forms of jobless. They are not allowed by the society to oppresions depicted in the story is a key take parts in the marketplace. The only job leading to a deeper analysis and understanding they have are housekeeping and enjoying the of the issue. possession their husband given to them. In It can be seen in that the east egg, the return for the comforts given to them and also background of place of story, is depicted as a as an effort to have a decent partner, they part of the patriarchal society. Its people belief willingly beautify themselves for the pleasure that men own a higher priority compared to of their husband.