How does Fitzgerald create a satire that comments on American Ideals through characters besides Gatsby?Characters like Tom Buchanan, Daisy, Jordan...

Fitzgerald cleverly creates satirical archetypes through
characterization. Characterization is the process of giving characters traits. This
happens through what characters say about themselves, how they look, how the act, and
what others say about them.

Take a look at Tom. In the
beginning, Tom is described as hulking, he wears his fancy riding gear and boots, and we
learn that Tom is wealthy beyond his own imagination. We also find that he
is dissatisfied with his marriage at least in one department because he has a mistress.
We also learn that Tom is trying to read. This character in Tom is a typical American.
He has so much that he doesn't know what to do with it all. He is so blessed, he does
not have to work. This is also a typical East Coast Old Money type of person. Fitzgerald
in making this picture of a charcter demonstrates that money isn't the answer. Through
mocking Tom, we laugh and receive the message.

Daisy is the
archetypical flapper of the day. Women in the 20s were beginning to have rights. They
were flamboyant, fast little "fools". Daisy confesses this about herself and even
relishes in the identitiy as she introduces her daughter that way. She is unfufilled in
this identity too. Because we see Fitzgerald hyperbolize her flawed character we
understand that women tried very hard to have a new identity, but it did not fulfill
them either.

Jordan, a lazy and careless mooch, typifies
the 20s as an era. I always wonder what it would have been like to live so high and
mighty without having to work. Although Jordan works, I think the abandonment of family
is demonstrated in her character. Without close relationships one can grow cold. Jordan
makes cutting remarks throughout the book that make Nick wonder at the state of their
relationship. Jordan's character mocks that person who would struggle on in life without
closeness. We find her unfulfilled too.

These are a series
of ideas on each character. This question has many parts to it, maybe another editor
will give you a more specific case study on one of these.