The Queer Perspective

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After calling Gatsby "gorgeous" (Fitzgerald 2) in the first chapter of the book, "The Great Gatsby", Nick's sexuality was immediately questioned by not only myself, but by many others. The queer lens, or perspective, offers insight for the reader in regards to how Nick himself may be portraying a queer role without the knowledge of it. Him being the narrator of the novel, we as an audience see his queer-like opinions, descriptions, and interpretations of situations and people which ultimately sets a very "sexually ambiguous" (Tyson 342) tone to the novel. 

Nick is often seen describing females in a very masculine way, and males in a very feminine way which can suggest his sexual insecurities, yet true interpretations of the characters. Gatsby is always  described by Nick as if he were a female figure. He talks about him as if he only owned "gorgeous pink suits" (Fitzgerald 162) and "shirts with stripes in coral and apple green and lavender and faint orange" (Fitzgerald 97). In contrast to being described as feminine, Jordan Baker is consistently  described in a masculine tone by Nick. Jordan makes her living in the professional golf world which is quite ironic due to the fact that golf was a male-dominant sport around this time. She is described as a "slender, small-breasted girl" (Fitzgerald 15) who throws "her body backward at the shoulders like a space cadet" (Fitzgerald 15). It's a lie if I were to say Nick never loved Jordan. Why is he being targeted as queer? It is believed that the reason Nick is attracted to Jordan is because he views her in a very masculine way. Now that we know that Nick is attracted to these types of qualities, it can be inferred that he is attracted to the male domain itself. His constant repetition of Jordan and Gatsby can serve as a cover up for his identity which suggests that he is insecure. 

When looking through the queer lens, there is no doubt that Nick can come across as a queer figure in the novel. How could it be a coincidence from the writers perspective? We can't deny the fact that the author himself, Fitzgerald, participated in drag!

Comments

  1. Sawyer DarishNovember 17, 2019 at 1:10 PM

    I really like how you analyzed Fitzgerald's descriptions of both Gatsby and Jordan to show Nick's sexuality. By providing both of the people that Nick has romantic interest towards, it becomes clear that Nick is not completely straight. Also I liked how you included the fact that Fitzgerald participated in drag because it furthermore supports Nick's sexuality in the novel.

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  2. Lauren GoldenNovember 17, 2019 at 6:27 PM

    I read the queer lens critique as well! It’s super interesting to connect all the pieces of evidence that put Nick as liking the male traits/descriptions of Jordan, as well as the interesting situations Nick seems to be found in. It was also very interesting how Fitzgerald did drag!

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