Introduction to Sociology Janista Chaikanjanasak

Socialization in a fictional world 5861033

22/03/2017
The Great Gastby

The Great Gatsby is a 1925 novel that written by American author F. Scott
Fitzgerald. The characters in the novel follow a cast of characters that living in the
fictional town of West egg. The story focusing on the young millionaire and the
unhealthy relationship in couple. As the book mentioned, Gatsby was the protagonist of
this novel. He was the young wealthy man that loved one girl so much. It was Daisy.
They were dating each other before the world war. When it was the time of war, Gatsby
has the responsibility. So, they were separate. That made Daisy married with another guy
and not waiting for Gatsby anymore. Therefore, there are many things that socialize
Daisy to be in the way she is.
Daisys family socialized Daisy in 4 ways. As mentioned in the book, Daisy
married with her husband named Tom. They had 1 baby together. They loved their
daughter so much. These actions are influenced by observation, shaping, punishment and
reward. First, Daisy observed that Tom cheated on her first. Moreover, he didnt say
anything that was the sign of break up. It was because he still cared and loved Daisy and
his daughter. Second, her family shaped Daisys action because Tom told Daisy not to
break up with him and think a lot about their daughter. Third, when her husband knew
that Daisy cheated on him and loved Gatsby (Daisys ex boyfriend), Tom separated Daisy
and Gatsby from each other as a punishment even though Daisy told Tom that Gatsby
was her friend as a punishment. Lastly, even though Daisy did bad things to her family,
her family still loved and stayed beside her as a reward. In brielfly, these socialization
processes made her stay and taking care to her family while she was cheating. and it
made her think that it is a normal behavior to cheat on her husband. It also made she
became the one who was honest people that didnt lie to her family. These socialization
also made her gain membership in the family because she married and had 1 baby with
Tom.
Religion socialized Daisy to act and decide in unique ways based on 4-way
processes. As the book mentioned, Daisy was christain but apparently, the fact didnt
affect Daisys beliefs very strongly. These beliefs were influenced by observation,
shaping, punishment and reward. First, Daisy observed that the western culture doesnt
view cheating as unacceptable. She saw some people surrounded her cheating on their
couple. Also, she observed that the God didnt affect on her life about her mistake that
against her religion rules. Second, even though she was christain, she learned the culture
from the western people that she closed to already. They teached her to think that
Cheating was a normal behavior. Their culture and their teaching influenced Daisy to
cheat on her husband. Third, She noticed that the punishment from the god didnt come to
her yet. That was also why she feels free to cheat her husband. Fourth, she didnt get any
reward from religion that is why she didnt believe in it. Therefore, these socialization
processes made she didnt belief in her religion and she didnt follow the religion rules.
But it made her became the brave person to do what she wants. Therefore, she gained
membership from the religious community that her parents also live in.
Media socialized Daisy in 4 ways of processes. As the book mentioned, Daisy
was well-known in the city, especially the news. A lot of people kept looking on her life
in every single day. Daisy needed to keep the bad things with her self a lot. And when she
wanted to do something, she needed to consider very carefully to make herself look good.
Introduction to Sociology Janista Chaikanjanasak
Socialization in a fictional world 5861033
22/03/2017
These action influenced by observation, shaping, reward and punishment. First, Tom and
Daisy observed that the people always talked and gossiped about them. Second, Tom told
Daisy about the news that always followed them. So, that influenced Daisy to decide that
she would not break up with Tom. Third, her family and her herself was in the news when
they did a bad thing or anything that related to them will be on the news. Also, her life
wasnt a private life anymore because of the news. Fourth, when she did good or positive
things, she would get a compliment and good looking from others as a reward. These
socialization processes made her to keep the secret. Sometimes it influenced her to be
liar. Also, it influenced her think that media affects her life.
Education and peer socialized Daisy attitude and thought in 4 ways. As mentioned
by the book, Daisy and her friend met each other from the college. Daisy and her friend
believed the same thing. They supported each other for everything. These action
socialized by 4 processes including observation, shaping, punishment and reward. First,
Daisy observed some of their friend in class cheating on their couple. And she also
learned that her close friends also supported her to keep the secret. Second, her friend
told her that cheating wasnt at that bad. And her friend told her that she would always
supported her to keep the secret from her husband when Daisy met Gatsby. More than
that, her friend helped Daisy to find the way for her to meet with her ex boyfriend. Third,
Daisy didnt get any negative result and punishment from her friend. Forth, in this case,
she had friend to support and fulfill her life as a reward. These socialization processes
influenced her to be confidence with her decision and continued cheating on her husband.
It also made her continue to think that cheating is just a normal behavior. Thus, she
gained membership from peer in college.
In conclusion, the factors socializing Daisy to be who she is include family,
religion, media, and education. These socialization agents socialized Daisy to be honest
with her family but the liar to others. Education and her belief socialized her to continue
cheating. However, at the same time, she was the protector of the family from the bad
news. From my perspective, Daisy shouldnt cheating on her husband because she has
already married with Tom. And she also has a children. That is why I think she should
focus on her family instead of Gatsby.
Introduction to Sociology Janista Chaikanjanasak
Socialization in a fictional world 5861033
22/03/2017
Reference

Fitzgerald, F. S. (1995). The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner Paperback

Fiction.