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Marxist Analysis Of Tom In The Great Gatsby

543 Words3 Pages

In The Great Gatsby Tom's character is used to show the moral decay and corruption of the upper class and the way he gets away with what he wants in the end. Tom shows the hypocritical nature of those who boast their wealth and privilege while committing non-moral behavior. He beats his wife and cheats with no consequence or confrontation about what he does, simply because he is in the class position he is, Tom seems to do whatever he wants. From a Marxist perspective due to Tom's social class he presumes to continue these unethical acts that simply have no consequences for him. "I've got my hands full," he said. "I'm much obliged but I couldn't take on any more work. You wouldn't want me to strain myself." (Chapter 2) Tom says this to Nick when he declines an invitation to lunch with him and Myrtle. Tom does not a care in the world about Myrtle and how his attitude is portrayed in this passage really shows that he wouldn't think twice about the consequences. …show more content…

To start, Daisy and Tom's relationship is horrid;Tom beats her and has a mistress that everyone knows about, though nothing is said about it since the power and class given at the time of the book also doesn't help much Looking down at women was not the most uncommon after the war. One quote that portrays the objectification of women is when Daisy says, "I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool" (Chapter 1). This quote shows how women at that time were modeled only for their beauty and not any of their intelligence or abilities. This quote also implies that society expects for women to be ignorant and submissive, in some ways a slave to their husband and it great to say that it goes against today's beliefs which is

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1909 Words | 8 Pages

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