Queer Reading of The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is one of the most important works of American literature. It depicts the Roaring Twenties effectively while telling a touching, forbidden love story. As readers, we may not consider any homosexual act or affair takes place in the novel. However, with a careful critical reading, we may comment on certain aspects of the novel that have either homosexual or homoerotic air to themselves.

Let's look at Nick Carraway for example. He is a single man who slowly begins to descend into his middle age period and he had never been married. He does not have any affairs going on in the novel. He has something with Jordan Baker but he ended it himself. Furthermore, Nick's descriptions of Gatsby is somewhat romantic. We can consider that he has a romantic interest in Gatsby.

As for Jay Gatsby, we can comment on his flamboyant lifestyle. He has a pink suit as well as many other flamboyant colors. Critics suggest that this clothing style is a hint for sub-homosexual persona. His house is also decorated in feminine way.

We can consider Jordan Baker as a homosexual character, too. She is dressed in a masculine way. Nick describes Jordan mostly with masculine words. She also is interested in golf which was considered as a masculine sport back in the time.

We cannot know exactly if Fitzgerald thought these characters in this way, but with a careful reading and thinking we may interpret work in various ways. This way of thinking can be implemented to any work and it can enhance the experience of the reader.