While stereotype the majority of society held

While it may not be technically true, men and a sizeable portion of women tend to believe that women will never rise to the level of power and respect that men seem to enjoy, simply because women are perceived as the weaker gender because generally they are physically weaker than men.

To prove this age old theory, the novels The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, both support the notion that men will always have more power than women. This is displayed throughout the novels through the characters Daisy and Tom Buchanan, and Nurse Ratched and Randle Patrick McMurphy, respectively. Although a certain segment of women defy the standard stereotype and are physically stronger and more powerful than men, women will always be seen as the weaker gender so long as human perception remains superficial. Women were portrayed as the weaker sex and unequal to men during the 1900’s and this notion has carried through in today’s era. Women were to act a certain way as well as conform to the roles they played as a superficial woman. In the novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald expresses through Daisy Buchanan the stereotype the majority of society held against women: passive, naive, and graceful. Daisy is a character that conforms to society to benefit her well being.

Instead of oppressing the stereotype she endorses it by doing the exact opposite. Daisy undermines woman as a whole as she adds to the superficiality the world is accustomed to by playing “ the part” to benefit her life(daisy holding her toungue and not speaking her mind). Daisy does this in many ways throughout the novel. Daisy’s intentions are made clear when she is brought to tears at the realization that her child is a girl. She then states that “ the best thing a girl can be in this world is a beautiful little fool (Fitzgerald, 17). This is ironic because of the idea that Daisy does not see herself as a fool, becoming apparent that she is in fact aware of the status and undermining role women are perceived as/in?.

In contrast in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Nurse Ratched also upholds and glorifies the superficiality of women but in the mere opposite way. Nurse Ratched defeminized herself to gain political power and respect. Nurse Ratched is also aware of the stereotype women are held to and avoids it by portraying herself as a masculine figure. This endorses the superficial stereotype of women because she demonstrates that she can not gain this power as a woman figure she needs to take on male characteristics to do so; thus encouraging the stereotype that women are weaker than men. She abandons all of the qualities that a person may perceive as feminine characteristics; “ a mistake was made somehow in manufacturing, putting those big, womanly breasts on what would of otherwise been a perfect work, and you can see how bitter she is about it.” (Kesey, 118). Her as well as all the men in the ward think of her as a more masculine figure, she hides her breasts and feminine parts under her lengthy dress, and not only does she hide her physical feminine qualities but she does so with her physiological attributes as well.

Nurse Ratched speaks in a monotone voice and acts as if she lacks expression or emotions which women tend to overexploit “ that’s alright miss Flinn. If Mr. Taber chooses to act like a child he may have to be treated as such, we’ve tried to be kind and considerate with him.” (Kesey, 31).

Throughout these two novels each character contributes to the stereotype that women will always be seen as the weaker gender so long as human perception remains superficial; as each succumb to society’s _____ in order to benefit their well being. Men and a sizeable portion of women tend to believe that women will never rise to the level of power and respect that men seem to enjoy,  due to the fact that women are perceived as the weaker gender because men are physically stronger than women, who, on average, have less total muscle mass, both in absolute terms and relative to total body mass.(https://www. theodysseyonline.

com/are-men-physically-stronger-than-women). Many people tend to believe that power relies on strength. This superficial stereotype is widely touched upon through the novels The Great Gatsby and One flew over the cuckoo’s nest. Tom buchanan as well as Randle Patrick McMurphy each contribute to the superficiality that women will never rise to the level of power and respect so long as they are physically stronger. When Tom cannot get Myrtle to stop talking he feels powerless so he uses the only aspect that makes him stronger which is Physical power; “ Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!” shouted Mrs. Wilson. “ I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai –– Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.

(Fitzgerald, 125-126)”  Tom manipulates Myrtle easily, and she tolerates his verbal and physical abuse. At this point in the book Nick … … were all bystanders as Tom hit Myrtle yet no one did anything about it. Because Tom is a male and physically stronger and Myrtle is a female and physically weaker. This relates to the standards of women in the 1900’s  as well as being carried out in today’s society. As everyone else in the room did not act or say anything it is apparent that society is well aware of the superficiality of women; and because no consequences are intialized women will continue to be seen as the weaker sex.

This notion carries out through McMurphy’s actions as well, during the time he feels powerless over Nurse Ratched. McMurphy could not get through to Ratched mentally and is distraught when she informs him that Billy has just committed suicide. Nurse Ratched then states “ that she hopes he’s satisfied, playing with lives. First Charles Cheswick (who drowned himself) and now William Bibbit” ( ).

McMurphey in rage rips her uniform down the front, exposing her chest, and proceeds to choke her; (  ). He let her manipulate him into feeling overpowered and hopeless resulting in violence. McMurphey uses his strength to defeat her as he abolished her institutionalized male persona, unmasks her feminine qualities and reasserts male dominance.

He does this to show the patients that she is a women and that the men by extension, are men who traditionally are the powerful ones. In both novels women are defeated by the physical strength of a man, women will always be seen as the weaker gender so long as human perception remains superficial. Over centuries women have been objectified, meaning they have been treated as objects valued mostly for their physical attributes. This issue is made aware by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ken Kesey themselves who worded and put together their books and what values they were trying to portray through their writing.

In the novel Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald demonstrates how women are looked down upon and the notion that women are seen as a man’s property or accessory. Fitzgerald uses character Tom Buchanan and his language to demonstrate the hierarchy between genders. When tom says “ I want you to meet my girl” (Fitzgerald, 24) he refers to her as his girl rather than her name, giving off the impression that she is his object and ______ and Tom is the superior gender. He also describes Daisy on an “ enormous couch . . .

buoyed up as though upon an anchored balloon . . . her dress rippling and fluttering as if she had just been blown back in after a short flight around the house.” (Fitzgerald, 4) Daisy is put on a pedestal and shown off as if she is an object that makes the room look desirable. In comparison Ken Kesey demonstrates the superiority of male sexuality even over female authority.

He shows the reader that women of a high power can be brought down only to be looked at as a mere object for mens enjoyment.