Marriage in The Great Gatsby and pre-1900 poetry (UNFINISHED)

Marriage in The Great Gatsby and pre-1900 poetry (UNFINISHED)

1. The Great Gatsby

   • Marriage as a symbol of wealth
     • Nick is "too poor" to be engaged
       • Marriage is only for the rich/those who have made their fortune
       • ironic - Nick comes from a "well-to-do" family
     • Tom claims Gatsby "would have to steal the ring he put on her [Daisy's] finger"
       • making reference to Gatsby's wealth being corrupt
         • if you aren't born with money, you must have made it dishonestly
           • Lack of morals in America at time
     • Gatsby claims Daisy "only married [Tom] because I [Gatsby] was poor"
       • Wealth was the barrier to their mariage
   • Marriage has lost its meaning in the 20s
     • Affairs are common
       • "the world and his mistress"
         • Contrasted to "church bells"
           • Marriage is valued less than affairs
           • Like Garden of Love
       • Still vaguely frowned on, especially for women
         • "she might have the decenct not to telephone him at inner time"

2. Poetry

   • The Garden of Love (William Blake)
     • Marriage has restricted the speaker
       • "the gates of the chapel are shut
         • Physical barrier to represent figurative one
   • Sonnet 113