Tom Buchanan Character Analysis

In today’s world, the rich live under extreme scrutiny. Professional athletes and multi-millionaires are being constantly monitored and judged by people across the nation. One simple mishap or bad decision can culminate into the demise of their public reputation. Why would somebody with a successful career and an extensive supply of money need to commit an act such as an affair or bringing the demise of a popular social figure? While this subdivision of humanity may have the materialistic desires of life, often times that success comes at the price of their personality. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the same is true for the character Tom Buchanan. With Tom’s impressive East Egg lifestyle his expansive estate, he seems to leave

While as a whole Tom’s character may seem quite static, events and actions throughout the story add to and amalgamate Tom’s character. Early on in the novel, Tom’s careless attitude towards his relationships with others begins to emerge. This is first shown when Jordan Baker says, “Tom’s got some woman in New York.” The fact that Tom has a mistress shows that he is an atrocious husband towards Daisy. He shows little care and compassion for his wife and his daughter. This type of action has become habitual throughout Tom’s life. Within a week after Tom and Daisy’s honeymoon, Tom was in a car crash with another girl. Tom has never been truly loyal to Daisy and has endeavored in many affairs to prove his infidelity. While Tom’s affair speaks greatly about his ethics, his interactions with other character begin to solidify his personality. As Tom travels with Nick to the Valley of Ashes, Tom confronts the honest, hardworking, and kind George Wilson. In reference to his affair with George’s wife Myrtle, Tom says, “He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.” George was being kind and considerate as he welcomed NIck and Tom as guests. He was trying to do business for his auto shop with Tom, but all Tom wanted was to see Myrtle. Tom took advantage of George’s innocence and kindness. He only wanted to have his mistress and didn’t care about the feelings or

Gatsby plays an important role in revealing Tom’s character. As Tom begins to see slight signs of the connection between Gatsby and Daisy, his ignorant and hypocritical attributes are revealed. This trait is established when Tom says, “women run around too much these days to suit me. They meet all kinds of crazy fish.” This quote starts to explain Tom’s view on extramarital relationships. Tom says that Daisy is running around too much and meeting too many people. The irony behind that statement is that Tom is the one running around too much and having an affair. To continue this theme, Tom says, “I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that’s the idea you can count me out… Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions.” In this moment, Tom totally disagrees with a relationship between Daisy and Gatsby. He says that he doesn't want to be apart of such an act, yet Tom has committed nearly the same act to the Wilson family. Tom expected George to sit back and do nothing. Meanwhile, Tom does very little with his wife and daughter as a family. Tom himself has a loose concept of family life. As Tom disagrees with everyone else having an affair, he still accepts his own and is very sanctimonious. He believes that these activities should only be allowed if they benefit him. After