How Is Tom Buchanan And Jay Gatsby Alike

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Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan Literary Analysis Essay.

Liam Hickernell

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby,” Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan share both similarities and differences, each representing their views on the American Dream. Although Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan share similarities, such as their living conditions and social status, their dreams and aspirations differ. Gatsby, with his mysterious past and drive to make money, shows one side of the American Dream, where anyone can make it through hard labor. Meanwhile, Tom Buchanan represents the wealthy elite who were born into a perfect society and are used to having control over everything. Fitzgerald uses these characters to show how hard it is to achieve success in such a fierce …show more content…
Through the characters of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, Fitzgerald illustrates how ambition, social status, and illusion shape the pursuits of the American Dream that these characters chase. In “The Great Gatsby,” Fitzgerald provides a theme of ambition through the continuous pursuits of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of wealth and status stands in contrast to Tom’s complacency with being rich, showing us what drives each character. Additionally, Gatsby’s constant pursuit of Daisy serves as another factor in his continuous ambition, highlighting how far he will go for something. For example, Gatsby proves his belief that you can recreate the past is evident when he says "Can't repeat the past?...Why of course you can! (page 110).” This quote highlights the relentless ambition Gatsby has toward his dreams and how he denies that the past can't be recreated. Lastly, the quote proves Gatsby's determination towards bringing back old times with his lost love, Daisy, despite the obstacles Tom faces. In conclusion, “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald proves that ambition drives Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. Gatsby chases love and …show more content…
This is shown throughout the different living conditions between both characters. Gatsby, a self-made man of newfound wealth, stands in comparison to Tom, who represents how being born into a privileged status shapes one's attitude and behavior. Nick Carraway, the narrator, displays a good representation of the social status difference between Jay and Tom. For example, “I lived at West Egg,” the—well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them. (Page 5).” This quote points towards the divide between the two sides of Long Island, symbolizing the conflict between the old-money East Egg and the newly rich West Egg. Through, Nick Carraway's observations, Fitzgerald highlights the influence of how social status provides a major impact on a character's lives and interactions. In conclusion, “The Great Gatsby” illustrates the impact of how having a more privileged life can affect the way they think and act. However, not only does social status affect how one thinks, but illusion also plays a major role in one's
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