Tom
Extended Character Analysis
Tom Buchanan is a brute who embodies the preening, power-hungry narrow-mindedness of the East Egg elite. Nick, who knew Tom from their time at Yale, remarks that Tom was once an incredibly talented football player. While still wealthy and physically imposing, Tom, at the young age of 30, is already past his prime. Tom seems to be drifting through life, seeking out some “irrecoverable football game.” Much as Gatsby looks to the past in an effort to find satisfaction, so too does Tom. He is unable to move on from the glory of his college football career and instead stagnates in his wealthy world, listlessly traveling in search of the golden but unobtainable past.
Ironically, despite Tom’s dissatisfaction, he is everything that Gatsby wants to be: wealthy, influential, and married to Daisy Buchanan. However, Tom exemplifies the fact that happiness cannot be bought. He is racist, classist, sexist, and cruel, keeping mistresses without bothering to hide them from his wife. The essential difference between Tom and Gatsby is that Gatsby has had to earn everything he has, whereas Tom was born with wealth and power. Gatsby had to dream up a better life for himself and work to make it happen, giving him a sense of hope and optimism. Tom, on the other hand, perceives that his best days are already behind him, so he settles into idleness and carelessness, never bothering to dream or strive for anything more.
Tom’s philandering speaks to his need for control and dominance, a remnant of the power he once had on the football field. He ruthlessly bars the advancement-seeking Myrtle Wilson from holding any delusions about improving her station, breaking her nose when she so much as mentions Daisy’s name. Unlike Daisy, who is his equal in social standing, Myrtle is someone Tom can treat as an inferior. Not only is she poor, she is also ugly and overweight, whereas Tom is fit and attractive. Tom maintains complete dominance over Myrtle, physically, socially, and emotionally. Myrtle is so desperate to advance her social status that she willingly takes Tom’s abuse, modeling the abuse of the poor by the wealthy. All told, Tom is a walking powder keg, an unconscious assemblage of narcissism, lust, and listlessness, itching to release his rage on those he perceives as less powerful.
Expert Q&A
How does Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby represent the American Dream?
In some ways, Tom Buchanan represents the fulfillment of the American Dream, because he has wealth, a lavish estate, fancy cars, a child, and a beautiful wife—he has everything that the classic American dreamer desires. But in other respects, Tom proves the archetype of the American Dream to be a myth. His story is hardly one of honest work that has led him to prosperity, or "rags to riches"; he was born into his money and doesn't need to work.
What evidence suggests that Tom is cheating on Daisy in The Great Gatsby?
In "The Great Gatsby", there are several instances suggesting Tom's infidelity. The first hint is when Tom receives a phone call during dinner, after which Jordan Baker reveals to Nick that Tom has a mistress in New York. This is confirmed when Tom takes Nick to meet his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. Further evidence is seen in chapter seven, when Myrtle, seeing Tom with Jordan, displays a look of jealous terror, assuming Jordan to be Tom's wife.
What does Tom's reaction to Myrtle's death in The Great Gatsby reveal about his feelings for her?
Tom's reaction to Myrtle's death in The Great Gatsby indicates that he is shocked by her violent and sudden death. However, his quick recovery and intentional efforts to distance himself from the yellow Rolls Royce demonstrate that he cares much more about himself than he ever did about Myrtle.
In The Great Gatsby, how does Tom discover Daisy's love for Gatsby?
In The Great Gatsby, Tom discovers that Daisy loves Gatsby in chapter seven, when Gatsby joins the Buchanans for lunch and a trip to Manhattan. Tom begins to figure it out at lunch, and Daisy makes her feelings explicit in the hotel suite later in the day.
Why does Tom insist that Daisy go home with Gatsby?
Tom insists that Daisy go home with Gatsby because it shows he has won the battle for her and has no fear that Daisy will leave him. It is a way of thumbing his nose at Gatsby.
In The Great Gatsby, does Tom hide his affair with Myrtle?
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan does not hide his affair with Myrtle overall, but conceals the identity of his mistress. While it's widely known that Tom has a "woman in New York," he carefully avoids revealing Myrtle's identity to his wife, Daisy, and her husband, Wilson. This behavior reflects Tom's self-centered nature, as he prioritizes his own pleasure over the feelings of those around him.
What are the differences between Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby?
In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan hails from a wealthy family and resides in East Egg. Tom is also depicted as a selfish, arrogant man who offends others and treats people with "paternal contempt." In contrast, Jay Gatsby comes from a poor family and is a self-made man living in the newly rich West Egg. Jay Gatsby is also enormously charismatic and charming. Unlike Tom, Gatsby is a genuine, selfless man who "turned out all right at the end."
What five songs represent Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby and how do they relate to him?
Five songs that represent Tom Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" include The Eagles' "Lyin' Eyes," illustrating his adultery; They Might Be Giants' "Your Racist Friend" and "Deutschland erwache," both capturing his racist views; The Forgotten Rebels' "Bored and Rich," showcasing his inherited wealth and boredom; and the Pet Shop Boys' "Being Boring," reflecting the ennui of his life. These songs mirror Tom's character traits such as his physical stature, class-conscious elitism, racism, adultery, and his boredom from inherited wealth.
Discuss Tom's abusive behavior in The Great Gatsby.
Tom Buchanan's abusive behavior in The Great Gatsby is evident through his thoughtless cruelty and brutality towards Daisy and others. In the first chapter, Daisy subtly hints at physical abuse and describes a life of resignation, reflecting her oppressed existence under Tom's dominance. This pattern of abuse is starkly illustrated in chapter 2, when Tom violently breaks his mistress's nose, showcasing his brutal nature and lack of respect for women.
Tom's suspicion of Gatsby being a bootlegger in The Great Gatsby
Tom's suspicion that Gatsby is a bootlegger arises from Gatsby's rapid accumulation of wealth and his mysterious background. Tom doubts Gatsby's claim of inherited wealth and becomes increasingly skeptical, believing Gatsby's fortune is tied to illegal activities, specifically bootlegging, during the Prohibition era.
Tom's violent act against Myrtle in The Great Gatsby reveals aspects of his character
Tom's violent act against Myrtle in The Great Gatsby reveals his brutish, domineering nature and lack of respect for others. This incident highlights his entitlement and willingness to use force to maintain control, underscoring his moral corruption and the toxic dynamics in his relationships.
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