Similarities Between Gatsby And Tom Buchanan

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Shea Stuckey Schmit College English 05/08/23 Gatsby and Buchanan: Two sides of the same coin The book The Great Gatsby follows the story of a self-made wealthy man, Jay Gatsby, through the eyes of a middle class midwestern, Nick Carraway. Nick depicts Gatsby as a larger than life, mysterious, complex, and ultimately great man. Nick includes Gatsby’s 5 year long infatuation with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, while depicting Tom, Daisy’s husband, as a terrible, aggressive, uncaring man. While Nick's depiction of Tom is altogether not far off from the truth, Nick neglects and hides the similarities between Tom and Gatsby, while there are glaring differences between the two men, they are quite frankly two sides of the same coin. Tom Buchanan and …show more content…

Tom uses and abuses Myrtle to make himself happy and believes he can decide what Mrytle can or can not do and when. Tom always decides when he and Myrtle meet, even if it's inconvenient for her. Nick describes a moment where Tom decides he wants to spend time with Myrtle ``‘ I want to see you,’ Said Tom intently. ‘Get on the next train'’” (Fitzgerald 30) Tom gives Myrtle absolutely zero choice in whether or not she wants to go with him. Nick shows this even further when Tom hits Myrtle over her repeated use of Daisy’s name after Tom told Myrtle he couldn’t say Daisy's name. Nick shows this same trait in Gatsby by discussing Gatsby's use of Nick himself to arrange a meeting between Gatsby and Daisy. Gatbsy also uses Jordan to get closer to Daisy by having Jordan convince Nick to invite Daisy to his house. Both Tom and Gatsby believe they have the right to control Daisy however they want to. Nick describes the moment attempts to get Daisy to leave Tom, specifically the moment where both men are arguing about what Daisy wants, “‘Daisy’s leaving you.’ ‘Nonsense'’” (Fitzgerald 140). Both men seem to believe that they can decide what Daisy wants and use her to fulfill their dream however they want too. Nick frames this trait in Gatsby as romantic, Gatsby is in love with a woman and does whatever he must, makes friends with her friends, all to get back to her. Nick portrays this trait in Tom as controlling and dreadful, opposite of what it is in Gatsby despite both men having the same