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The Great Gatsby Compare And Contrast Essay

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“And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time” (Fitzgerald 138). These words, spoken by Tom Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby, exemplify the personality traits that are omnipresent throughout the novel. Tom is Daisy Buchanan’s husband whom she marries after her first love, Jay Gatsby, leaves for the war. Gatsby later tries to reconnect with Daisy, much to the dismay of Tom. Fitzgerald utilizes the characters of Gatsby and Tom to create parallels and highlight certain characteristics in both men. Tom and Gatsby are similar in that they both are very wealthy and love Daisy, each in their own way. While they share this similarity, there are a myriad of differences between the two. Tom is a racist, is part of the old money society, and does not face judgement for his actions. Gatsby has criminal wrongs rather than moral wrongs, is part of the new money society and dies as a result of his actions. In addition, Gatsby made his fortune through illegal activities, while Tom inherited his wealth through his …show more content…

They both love Daisy in their own way and do not want to lose her. Gatsby states, “Both of us loved each other all that time” (Fitzgerald 138). Gatsby wants Daisy to tell Tom she never loved him so that they can be together, but she cannot because it would not be true. Daisy says to Gatsby, “I did love him once-but I loved you too”(Fitzgerald 140). Daisy used to love both of them but chooses Tom because she is used to life with Tom and does not change. However, the adoration of Daisy is elevated in Gatsby. Tom’s artificial, bored love for Daisy is transformed into an obsession for Gatsby. His elevated adoration highlights the character foil between Tom and Gatsby as Gatsby’s obsession is an inflated version of Tom’s half-hearted

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Tom’s belittling treatment of other characters contrasts starkly with Gatsby’s respectful and heartfelt treatment, leading to the readers’ opinions of Gatsby being that he is a sincere character. This contrast is evident when Gatsby and Tom fight over Daisy and (respectively) say, “‘You’re not going to take care of her anymore’... ’She’s not leaving me... not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger’” (Fitzgerald, 133). Tom belittles Gatsby, calling him a “common swindler,” diminishing him to someone who likely makes money from stealing and deception.

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby,” Daisy Buchanan struggles to free herself from the power of both Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby, whom both use their wealth and high standings as a way to dictate power over and impress others. Fitzgerald purposely develops Daisy as selfish and “money hungry” character when she chooses Tom, a rich man, over Gatsby, a poor man (who she was in love with), which establishes her desire for power that she never achieves.

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