Characteristics of Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby

Jordan Baker is one heck of a character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. She’s got this mix of traits that really make her stand out and matter in the story. Her independence and confidence, mixed with her dishonest ways and shaky morals, show a lot about the messed-up society of the Jazz Age. By looking at these parts of Jordan’s personality, you see she helps push other characters' stories along and digs into big themes in the book. So, let's talk about what makes Jordan Baker tick and why she's so important to get what's going on in The Great Gatsby.

Independent and Self-assured

Jordan Baker shows up as this super independent and confident young woman, which really sets her apart from other women back in the 1920s. Fitzgerald describes her like someone with “an erect carriage," kinda like a young cadet (Fitzgerald 11). It gives you this image of a woman who stands tall and isn’t swayed by what society or others think.

Her independence shines through her career as a pro golfer. While most women back then were expected to marry and stay home, Jordan followed her dreams and made it big in a man's world sport. This part of her life points out how she breaks away from those strict gender roles of the time.

You also see Jordan's self-confidence when she talks to people. She says what she thinks without holding back, even if it's not what others want to hear. Like when she casually says, “Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply” (Fitzgerald 63). Jordan’s way of speaking up shows she knows herself well and doesn’t just go along with what’s expected.

Morally Ambiguous Traits

Even though she's got some cool qualities, Jordan’s also kinda dishonest and doesn’t always have the best morals. Remember that scandal at her first golf tournament? Nick Carraway, who narrates the story (and kind of has a thing for Jordan), tells us she "moved her ball from a bad lie" during an important round (Fitzgerald 57). Cheating like this messes with her integrity and shows she's willing to bend rules to get ahead.

This dishonesty isn't just on the golf course; it spills over into her relationships too. She's known for having this shallow attitude towards love, saying to Nick how she's been “careless” with people’s hearts (Fitzgerald 64). Her lack of empathy adds to the whole theme of moral decay we see throughout the book.

Representation of the Era's Corruption

Jordan isn’t just an individual with flaws; she represents the corruption and shallowness all around during the Jazz Age shown in the book. She's often seen hanging out with wealthy folks at fancy parties, giving us insights into their materialistic ways.

Look at her connection to Daisy Buchanan too—she's part of that privileged group led by Daisy’s husband, Tom Buchanan, showing off that moral rot among the rich elite. Being close friends with Daisy links Jordan to this corrupt scene where wealth doesn’t mean you’re morally good.

The way Jordan looks adds to this image too—described as having a "wan" face but still charming (Fitzgerald 11). These descriptions suggest she uses her charm for manipulation.

Final Thoughts

In The Great Gatsby, Jordan Baker's character brings together several traits that add depth to the narrative. Her independence challenges traditional gender roles while her lack of morals critiques society's corruption during that era. On top of all that, she's also symbolic of superficiality spread through the novel's setting.

Diving into these aspects makes it clear that Jordan plays a huge role in developing other characters' arcs while exploring key themes within The Great Gatsby. Her multifaceted personality leaves readers thinking long after they’ve finished reading.

References

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
• Bruccoli, Matthew J., ed. The Great Gatsby: A Facsimile of the Manuscript. UMI Research Press, 1978.
• Lathbury, Roger. "Reading ‘The Great Gatsby’." Modern Critical Interpretations: F.Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, Chelsea House Publishers, 1986.