The role of women in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby takes place in the 1920s. During that era women got the right to vote. Just because they have the right to vote, doesn't mean they are portrayed any better. People still thought women's lives can't be the same as men's and they can't do the same things as them. Women can vote and have jobs but there are some changes to be made and characters like Jordan are apart of that change.

Jordan Baker is a famous golfer. She is successful at a sport that was for men and her attitude is unapologetic. I say that because she isn't sweet to men (ie. sweet talk,flirting) because she wants to win, she goes out there and wins a tournament because she wants to (and cheats but lets not talk about that rn). Jordan gets what she wants and is okay with having fun and enjoying life, something a lot of women would like to have during that time, She is independent and not married, which at that time it's huge to be her age and not be married because men were "supposed to take care of women".
Jordan is also dishonest and very careless. She likes to live her life without thinking about the consequences of being not careful. I'd say she's a feminist.

Daisy is materialistic and artificial. Even though her life isn't going as good as it should, in the eye of women around her, she is perfect. To everyone, Daisy is living the American Dream, she had beauty, social class and a way with words. Gatsby sees what everyone else sees because Daisy does an extremely good job of covering up who she is when she is not in the presence of the public and what she is actually feeling. Daisy's not independent because she depends on Tom for supporting her financially and keeping her from not being alone, which at that time that was why people got married.

Myrtle is also materialistic. Myrtle knows Tom is not leaving Daisy so she stays with her husband and buys things to keep her occupied.

What I think the author is trying to do is shine a light on women and show that these characters chose their own paths in life. He even shows women drinking and partying whilst having fun. That's something that men would usually do but now they're the layed back ones.