The Great Gatsby

In the story of Great Gatsby there are many diverse individuals which make themselves heard in the book. Tom Buchanan is the one character that the reader loves to hate. He represents the materialistic views in and around the Jazz era. The question at hand is to consider the character and role of Tom Buchanan in the story. How is the reader meant to respond to this character. To answer the question Tom must be broken down and investigated in an in-depth manner.

The era the action takes place in is known as the Jazz era. It is well known as a very superficial time period. Tom is known as a very superficial character. Although Tom is well known as a wealthy man who seems to have the whole world at his beck and call. Despite his advantages which he has received in life it does not reflect his image which is ugly.

People are constantly striving to be like him because of his social status. He is the apex of the society, a very powerful individual, with enormous wealth. He is openly aggressive towards people especially his wife whom he is abusive towards. He also shows abusive actions towards his mistress Myrtle when he meets with her in New York. Tom believes solely that he is more important than anyone else. He also has much hate towards Gatsby when he first meets him, since Tom is particularly jealous of Gatsby s wealthiness over his own. We see his jealousy when he gets a favour from a friend in New York City to look into Jay Gatsby and the life he has led.

The reader develops much hate towards Mr. Buchanan when we learn of his mistress. His disprovement grows when he strikes her across the face and severely hurts her for no apparent reason. His rude attitude towards others are also taken to heart when Tom is seen out in public trying to show off for his friend Nick Caraway of how much of a man he can be. He was also seen lying to Mr. Wilson, concerning Gatsby s car in which he tells Wilson that it is his very own. Tom is also much of a coward to tell his wife and Mr. Wilson of his mistress who he has been seeing often who in turn is Mrs. Wilson (Myrtle). Tom is very used to getting what he wants.