Tom Buchanan

In the book, The Great Gatsby written by Scott Fitzgerald, the author presents the situation of the 1920's American dream - self made wealth and happiness, the spirit of the youth and resourcefulness and the ability to make something of one's self, despite of one's origins. Most of the main characters in this novel symbolize an important message, especially from the 1920's. In the book The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan is described as the typical "old money", having a high social status, and also physically strong and brutal; he can be regarded as the evil antagonist of the novel. However, he may also be recognized as intelligent, the successful man, who we as the readers wants to become as, and perhaps, a motivation for Gatsby due to jealousy, of the strength and power Tom Buchanan has achieved.

The author represents Tom Buchanan as the brutal, lack of moral, and racist. And judging by his acts, he really is the villain in this novel; he is incapable of feeling guilt, or any other emotions towards anyone, including Daisy, "Two shining, arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face...It was a body capable of enormous leverage-a cruel body"(Chapter 1 Page 9). However, his peremptory heart might have been the key to the success of his career. Because showing emotions, and acting with weakness will only let you get consumed by the society, rather than improving your social status. The author stresses that Tom Buchanan is the evil, but in other words, that might be the way he chose to live as.

It is true that Tom Buchanan was born in an enormously wealthy family. However, that does not mean that he did not try himself to become successful. He attended Yale, which means that he was intelligent, and as described from Nick, one of his fellow Yale graduates, "one of the most powerful ends that ever played football",(Chapter 1, page 8). which must have taken a lot of time and effort to reach to that point. To refer to the statement above, Tom Buchanan was already born with wealth, and therefore there were no real reasons needed to push himself to work hard, "His family were enormously wealthy—even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach".(Chapter 1, page 8) But he did, and it shows that he is mentally prepared. As the readers, we can take this as a lesson, and remind ourselves to work hard even if you are at a good position.

Even in the novel, Jay Gatsby lost his love, Daisy, to Tom Buchanan obviously because Tom has a higher social status, as well as money, and physical appearance, "Daisy was my second cousin...Her husband, among various physical accomplishments"(Chapter 1 Page 8). From the novel, it can possibly inform that Daisy is the direct reason to Jay Gatsby's seeking of American Dream and his strong wits. However, Tom Buchanan can be regarded as the indirect reason to Gatsby's endless strive. Because Jay Gatsby wants to stand toe - to - toe with Tom Buchanan no matter what it takes, so he can take Daisy back. In other words, Tom Buchanan is not only a villain that represents the antagonist, but also a motivation for Jay Gatsby.

In order to provide an apposing force for Jay Gatsby, the author stresses that Tom Buchanan is the evil, antagonist that Jay Gatsby has to struggle against. However, Tom Buchanan is only a regular person who has become successful by his striving motivation and his sturdy heart that rejected any unnecessary emotions. And even though he was raised in a rich family, he worked hard to achieve his own goals. Even Jay Gatsby, our title character, he envies the power that Tom Buchanan has achieved. As the reader, he might actually be the ideal character that we want to become as.