The Pursued, the Pursuing, the Busy and the Tired

Many of the characters in “The Great Gatsby” can be identified under several societal classifications. “The Great Gatsby” tells a tale of the 1920’s, where many defied Prohibition, indulged in new styles of dancing and dressing, and rejected many traditional moral standards. Individualism and a greater emphasis on the pursuit of pleasure and enjoyments became a popular practice among many. As moral standards and traditional values declined, the American stock market soared to unexpected heights. Many became increasingly rich, which in The Great Gatsby are defined as “new money.” Beyond the economic classifications exemplified in The Great Gatsby, Jordan Baker claims that society of this time can be characterized as “Only the pursued, the pursuing the busy and the tired.” Throughout the novel many of the main characters fit in to these specific categories. Although this novel is a story of America in the 1920’s, the various roles of the characters presented closely relate to the characterization of modern-day society. The pursued among society strongly represent the role attractive women play, both in 1920’s and today. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald presents the role of pursued women through a superficial, socialite beauty of the 1920’s by the name of Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is a woman of physical beauty, wealth, and poise. As a young woman in Louisville before the war, Daisy was courted by a number of officers, including Gatsby. After returning from the war Gatsby centers his life solely on pursuing Daisy, even after her marriage to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby invests his money into a large estate across the water from Daisy’s home, and throws lavish parties in hopes to attract and impress her. Finally in chapter six Daisy attends one of Gatsby’s extravagant parties. Half way through the night her husband Tom Buchanan orders her to leave. Gatsby is dejected at the thought that Daisy did not have a good time at his party. He depressingly confesses to Nick,

Cited: Fifzgerald, F. Scott. “The Great Gatsby.” New York: Scribner, 2004.