female rules!

I think it is extremely symbolic in the order in which Fitzgerald makes appearances the female characters. The order in which these female characters appear show the growing social power of females in society. From Beatrice to Eleanor we see the differences in action and attitude. The first female character that is introduced in-depth is Amory’s mother Beatrice. Beatrice often complains about her nerves. This reveals her fragileness thus reveals men’s perceptions of women in that time period, and the fragility also reveals women’s weakness in society. However, Beatrice could also be portrayed as a woman who is socially and economically powerful. She seems to play a dominate role in the Blaine household because Fitzgerald describes Amory as “son of Beatrice” rather than the son of his father. The family also seems to be living off money from her side of the family. Beatrice therefore represents the generation of women who are more socially conservative and weak, and yet they are slowing moving towards more independent and dominating role. We are then introduced to Isabella. Isabella portrays a perfect picture of a young female who represents herself as a pure individual, but in reality she is a female who dares to flirt with males. Isabella therefore represents the notion that women are now moving towards less socially conservative roles, but yet, they are still more reserve. Then the readers are introduced to Clara. Clara is independent and because she is a widow it shows that she has escaped the dominance of men. This os socially symbolic. Then there is Rosalind and Eleanor. Rosalind openly flirts with males and Eleanor’s wild, independent, and strong nature shows that females have moved towards more socially liberated.