Reading Between the Lines:  A closer look at The Great Gatsby

After reading The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald for the first time, it is easy to miss some of the subtle messages that Fitzgerald conveys throughout the novels. In fact, the after I read The Great Gatsby, topics such as women and gays completely alluded me; however, after a closer read into the text, I could suddenly and clearly see Fitzgerald's opinions on each of these topics.

Throughout The Great Gatsby, the reader truly only explores the story of three female characters: Jordan, Daisy, and Myrtle.  Of these three women, all of them are having affairs with various men and one of them is a mother who does not even care for her daughter.  By portraying these three women in a negative way, the reader can easily see Fitzgerald's sexist views toward women.  For example, Myrtle cheats on her husband, George Wilson, frequently when she goes out to town with Tom.  As Nick describes his experiences and opinions of Myrtle, it is clear to see that Myrtle is not a character to hold in high regard or esteem.  In fact, she is described several times as obnoxious.  Her ultimate fate best exemplifies Fitzgerald's sexist and negative view of women.  After her husband has found out about her cheating on him, she rushes out to the street and is killed when Daisy identically crashes into her.  By having Myrtle, a woman who commits adultery, killed, Fitzgerald shows that her behavior  and loose, easy-going morals are not to be admired.
Another hidden message (and Pranav's favorite by far) that Fitzgerald put into his story is that Nick, the narrator, is gay.  Although it may be a bit of a stretch, the "queer theory" could be seen in various parts of the novel.  One view of it is that all of the heterosexual relationships are shown to be corrupted with cheating, thus hinting that a homosexual relationship is not.  Also, in Chapter 2, one passage involving Nick and Mr. McKee suggests that Nick is gay.  When Nick is leaving the party with Mr. McKee, Fitzgerald writes, "...I was standing beside his bed and he was sitting up between the sheets clad in his underwear, with a great portfolio in his hands" (38).  This "queer theory" may also suggest that Fitzgerald himself could have been gay; however, the book is open for anyone's interpretation.