Tom Buchanan Quotes

Tom Buchanan, the antagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby," is a complex and deeply flawed character whose actions and beliefs represent the worst aspects of the society in which he lives. Throughout the novel, Tom is portrayed as arrogant, racist, and misogynistic, with little regard for the feelings of others. This character analysis will explore Tom's personality, motivations, and actions, using quotes from the novel to illustrate his character.

Tom's personality is characterized by his sense of entitlement and his belief in his own superiority. He is described as having "a cruel body" and "arrogant eyes" (Fitzgerald 7), and his behavior towards others is often condescending and dismissive. Tom is also deeply racist, making derogatory comments about people of color and expressing his belief in the superiority of the white race. He tells Nick, "if we don't look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged" (Fitzgerald 17). Tom's arrogance and racism are central to his character, as he represents the worst aspects of the privileged elite.

He is deeply invested in maintaining the social hierarchy of the society in which he lives, believing that his wealth and status entitle him to certain privileges. Tom is also possessive and jealous, particularly when it comes to his wife, Daisy. He becomes threatened by Gatsby's attempts to win Daisy's love, and his jealousy ultimately leads to tragedy. Tom's motivations are ultimately revealed to be selfish and self-serving, as he seeks to maintain his own power and control at the expense of