Differences Between Tom Buchanan And Jay Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the novel The Great Gatsby to show how the wealthy community coexisted during the Roaring Twenties. The two important characters in this story that show the differences between classes are Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Both these characters contribute directly to the tragic ending. In the novel, Jay Gatsby believes that his new found wealth and power will help him acquire his long awaited dream and eventually his happiness. In order to obtain this dream, Gatsby has to renew his love affair with Daisy a young woman from Gatsby’s past whom he loved dearly but lost. Gatsby had a love affair with Daisy, in his younger years, however Gatsby knew that it would not amount to marriage because they were from different social

Tom, Daisy’s husband, even though he wants her seems to take her for granted and this is proven by the fact that he cheats on her. “The fact that he had one was insisted upon wherever he was known. His acquaintances resented the fact that he turned up in popular restaurants with her and, leaving her at her table, sauntered about, chatting with whomsoever he knew” (24). Tom seems to believe that he is and has everything, and that he possesses all the power so therefore he can do anything that he wants, even abuse his wife. “Before I could answer her eyes fastened with an awed expression on her little finger. ‘Look!’ she complained. ‘I hurt it.’ We all looked – the knuckle was black and blue. ‘You did it, Tom,’ she said accusingly. ‘I know you didn’t mean to, but you did do it. That’s what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great, big, hulking physical specimen of a –’ ‘I hate that word hulking,’ objected Tom crossly, ‘even in kidding.’ ‘Hulking,’ insisted Daisy” (11-12). Tom is under the impression that Daisy can’t and wouldn’t leave him as why would she because he is better than her, based on Tom’s perspective. It is only when Gatsby comes into the picture that Tom understands that Daisy can leave him and that is a unacceptable thought in Tom’s mind. On the other hand there is Gatsby who has accumulated wealth by practicing shady business deals with the sole

They are both able to flourish and spend their money anytime and anywhere they want, without any worry. Gatsby throws lavish parties every weekend, with the hopes of gaining back his true love, Daisy. “There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars. At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his motor-boats slid the waters of the Sound, drawing aquaplanes over cataracts of foam. On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains. And on Mondays eight servants, including an extra gardener, toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden-shears, repairing the ravages of the night before” (39). Likewise, Tom lives in an extravagant house and makes sure that everyone is aware that he is above them. Tom believes and wants others to believe that he is superior and that everyone is beneath him. “Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay. The lawn started at the beach and ran toward the front door for a quarter of a mile, jumping