Analyse the character of Tom Buchanan. How does Fitzgerald depict him ?

  • Racist : reflection of Tom's slight insecurities
    • Tom needs to continually reassert his money and status
    • Fear that his place is not assured
    • Fear that the social climbers could take his status away
  • Selfish rich man who breaks things and then leaves others to clean up his mess
    • Does not want to realize his damage
    • Example : affair with Myrtle Wilson
  • Tom likes to demonstrate his power
    • He lets Daisy and Gatsby drive together
    • This shows Tom's power over both of them
    • Tom wants to rub that in Gatsby's face, that Daisy will never leave Tom
    • Physically violent : breaks Myrtle's nose at the party in New York