In the passage where the Tom, Myrtle, and Nick travel through Manhattan, Tom is displayed as being insecure and condescending through specific details and syntax, respectively. On the train ride over Tom had Myrtle sit in another train car. Nick, the narrator of the novel, notes that Tom “deferred that much to the sensibilities of those East Eggers who might be on the train”. He is implying that Tom is doing this to avoid the judgment of his neighbors. This demonstrates that Tom is extremely conscious of other’s perceptions of him and has a desire to maintain a certain reputation. Later in the passage when Nick tries to leave, Tom stops him and states that “Myrtle’ll be hurt if you don’t come up to the apartment”. Tom commands attention and