Compare And Contrast Gatsby And Tom Buchanan

The Great Gatsby is a classical novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and it explores the social and economic tension of the Roaring Twenties. Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are our two main characters and they represent the different sides of the American Dream as well as the different sides of American society in the 1920s. Gatsby embodies the romantic and optimistic side of the American Dream, while Tom represents the privileged and entitled side of society. They also have other differences that will be explored in this essay. To start off, Gatsby and Tom Buchanan originated from very different backgrounds. Although present time, they are both filthy rich, it wasn’t always this way. Specifically for Jay Gatsby, otherwise known as James Gatz. Gatsby

Jay Gatsby's personality is characterized by his unwavering optimism, romanticism, and his intense desire to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. For example, Gatsby's romanticism is a defining aspect of his personality. He is deeply in love with Daisy and remains faithful to her, despite the fact that she has moved on with her life and married someone else. As for Tom, his personality is characterized by his arrogance, selfishness, and tendency towards violence and infidelity. For example, Tom's selfishness is evident in his treatment of others, particularly his wife, Daisy, and his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. He is controlling and possessive with both women, viewing them as his property rather than individuals with their own thoughts and desires. He has no qualms about using violence to assert his dominance, as he does when he strikes Myrtle during an argument. Overall, Tom's personality is characterized by his sense of entitlement. The different personalities of Gatsby and Tom lead to conflicts and tensions throughout the novel, with each man viewing the other as a threat to their own position and status. These conflicts culminated in the tragic events of the novel, which highlight the destructive consequences of their actions and

Gatsby's primary desire is to recapture his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, whom he met and fell in love with prior to the start of the novel. His romanticism and optimism drive him to believe that he can win Daisy back, despite the fact that she is now married to Tom Buchanan. Gatsby is motivated by his deep love for Daisy, and he is willing to go to great lengths to win her back, even if it means engaging in illegal activities or risking his life. In contrast, Tom's desires are primarily centered on maintaining his status and dominance in the world of the wealthy elite. He is arrogant and selfish, believing that he is entitled to whatever he wants. Tom's primary desire is to maintain his control over Daisy, whom he views as his property. He is also motivated by his desire to maintain his position of power in society, which he feels is threatened by Gatsby's emergence into the elite social circle. The differences in their desires ultimately lead to conflicts and tensions between the two men. Gatsby's desire for love and romance clashes with Tom's desire for dominance and control, creating a sense of rivalry between the two men. These conflicts ultimately lead to the tragic events of the novel, as their desires drive them to take extreme actions with devastating