摘要
The aim of this paper is to show the interesting intertextual relation between The Great Gatsby and the episode ＂Trimalchio＇s Feast＂--inserted in Petronius＇ Satyricon-regarding to the construction of female characters. The characters with the nearest resemblance are Fortunata （Trimalchio＇s wife） and Myrtle （Tom Buchanan＇s mistress）. Fortunata＇s presentation stands out several elements which mark her by degradation, the same sort of elements which is possible to observe in Myrtle＇s description. Among these qualities, there are the violence and the ugliness shown in their physical and psychological portrayal, exhibited on the way they dress and behave in the social gatherings in which they take part. These features are also showed in the manner they are treated by their men. Fitzgerald also shows his characters--male or female in a very similar manner. The women, in both books, are not presented in a flattering way, for sure, but they are not also presented as inferior beings. Wherefore the ancient piece can be once more approximate from modern narratives and this fact reflects in its reception and on the clear, and timeless, influence it has on literature in general as in the case of Fitzgerald＇s novel.
