The role of women in the Great Gatsby The novel, The Great Gatsby, is set in the 1920s: a time of rebellious behavior and living according to the new American Dream foundation. The women of this era are portrayed in the novel in two different lights: rebellious and foolish. Women began to move forward in society during the 1920s and this novel explores these phenomena. As the women in the novel begin to break away from society's correct and staid stereotype, new stereotypes are created. In the novel it is perfectly fine for women to drink and behave wildly at parties just like men do. They express their opinions much more and begin to take control of their newly established place in society. Daisy, the ordinary staid woman, has been treated as inferior for years in her relationship with Tim. She allowed herself to be degraded because her husband committed acts of infidelity. However, Daisy eventually breaks free when she has an affair with Gatsby. Now, Daisy has found a way to keep Tom under her control. On the other hand, women are also depicted as extremely foolish and easily exploitable by men. Myrtle is an excellent example of his, because Tom is using her. For Tom, Myrtle is a game. He uses her for fun and never intends to have a substantial relationship with her. He goes to her whenever he wants and she will always be there waiting for him. Tom doesn't treat her with respect, yet she continually returns to his side. Another view of women shows them as gossipy and out of control. When they attend parties at Gatsby's house, the women are drunk to the point where they can no longer walk or think properly. The women are said to have torn their clothes, jumped into fountains and danced wildly. These images are prevalent throughout the novel, yet there are very few moments when men are this vulgar. At Tom and Myrtle's party, Myrtle's sister Catherine and her friends gossip the whole time. Catherine gives false information about Daisy, Tom and Myrtle. Additionally, Jordan Baker, another female character, is constantly in the middle of Tom and Daisy's wedding, all the while gossiping with Nick about both of their affairs..