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Leisure Class In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Why do we see two different sides of the leisure class in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby? Alberto Lena, Author of “Deceitful Traces of Power” criticizes not the class itself but the people who are a part of it. This essay dives into Tom more in depth than we see him in the book. In both the book and the essay we see Tom’s brutality through his actions with other people and the topics he chooses to talk about. The way he chooses to spend the money he inherited and how that plays into how he treats Gatsby because of the way he acquired his money. Tom Buchanan Portrays the worst parts of the leisure class supporting Lena’s point that not all people a part of this class are bad people. Both Tom and Gatsby came into large amounts of money …show more content…

The book also gives details to back up the evidence stated in the essay. Fitzgerald’s character Tom Buchanan proves to be a reason why the wealthy class is portrayed so poorly. He is described as someone with “ a cruel body” (Fitzgerald, 11) the language that is used to describe him shows the reader early on that he will be someone to look out for especially his actions. The essay also describes him as a warrior, though not because he feels the need to protect people because of his brutality. This character is someone who will only look out for himself because it's the only thing that matters to him. If he feels threatened he will do everything in his power to make sure people know that he is the wealthiest and the one in charge. Myrtle made a point to say Daisy’s name because he felt that his two lives were crossing and he didn’t want them to “Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (Fitzgerald, 37). Myrtle chose to take the power away from him and he couldn’t stand the fact that he had lost control. He hates the fact that at any point Daisy could leave him and that would tarnish his perfect life and his ego. This is the only reason that he stays with her instead of getting divorced. He won’t let anything happen that is not on his terms or without his permission, especially when Daisy wants to keep attending Gatsby’s parties. If even for a

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