Why Is Tom Important In The Great Gatsby

Despicable Tom

The Great Gatsby is a touching love story and an enthralling thriller. As a result of this combination, this classic novel has been a long time favorite for readers that are fans of many different genres. The story of this The Great Gatsby is a plot twisted in a sensational love triangle that ensnares those trapped in it. The main characters in this scandalous trio are Daisy, Tom and the book’s namesake, Gatsby. They each play an important role in the novel. Tom is the antagonist of the story. He is a physically imposing man who is lost in the past of his glory days as a college football player. He is abusive to his wife Daisy, and treats her more like an object rather than a person. Tom is also cheating on Daisy with a woman named Myrtle, the wife of a poor mechanic. She dreams of living the wealthy life and Tom makes her dream come true when they are out together. Tom spares no expense to impress Daisy. He rents out the finest hotel rooms and throws exclusive parties for the rich and famous. Tom’s disgusting behavior finally causes Daisy to run into the arms of Gatsby. Gatsby and Daisy have a past together. He is a love struck man determined to get back

the woman of his dreams in his arms. Gatsby goes to extremes trying to get the attention of Daisy. He holds the grandest of parties hoping she will turn up. With the help of Daisy’s cousin Nick they eventually meet again and fall back in love.
There is only one person in the way of their love, Tom.

Gatsby contrives a strategy for all of them to meet at lunch. During this lunch Daisy is to confess her love for Gatsby, and tell Tom that she never loved him. Tom gets word of the plot and suggests that they go out into the city instead. The three make the trip to the city, but after a while they decide to leave. Daisy drives Gatsby’s yellow car and Tom drives the other one. On the way back home, Myrtle see’s the yellow car and jumps into the street. Since Daisy is driving recklessly, she has no time to stop the car and ends up hitting Myrtle. Tom is enraged when he finds out Myrtle was killed. He thinks Gatsby is the one who slayed her. So when Tom sees Gatsby face to face again he shoots and kills

him.
Tom is the epitome of a despicable person. Everyone knows the saying “money changes people”, but in Tom’s case, money destroyed lives. Tom is a man who saw everything he ever loved get violently ripped from his hands like a tattered rag. His wife left on the same night his mistress lost her life. Tom is broken; he doesn't know how to control his emotions. At times Tom acts like a child throwing a temper tantrum. He lacks judgment as he makes hasty decisions without thinking of the long term repercussions. A perfect example of this is when Tom takes Nick, Daisy’s cousin, out on the town with him. They check into a hotel room to get drunk with girls. Tom makes the vulgar and impulsive decision to have sex with Myrtle in Nick’s presence. Nick feels awkward and grows increasingly uncomfortable and attempts to leave the room. However, Tom the perverted imbecile that he is stops Nick from escaping.
A gloating brat his entire life, Tom Buchanan has received everything he’s ever wanted. It is this sense of entitlement that ultimately results in his downfall. Tragically he finally loses everything after enjoying a lifetime of winning. Tom doesn’t how to control himself when it comes to facing loss, and this causes him to do the unthinkable.

My thesis has been affirmed by almost anyone with a sensible grip on reality. Tom is a troubled character who does evil things to the ones he “cares” about the most.
- Lena, Alberto, Canadian Review of American Studies; 1998, Vol. 28 Issue 1, p19, 23. BOOKS CRITICISM FITZGERALD, F. Scott (Francis Scott), 1896-1940, GREAT Gatsby, The (Book)