Tom Buchanan Character Analysis Essay

Words: 689
Pages: 3
Open Document
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, is filled to the brim with eccentric characters that boggle the reader’s mind. One of the notable characters introduced in chapter one is Tom Buchanan. Tom is married to the narrator’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, a dainty and submissive woman; exceedingly different from Tom. He is a “brute of a man” (Fitzgerald 12) who has to be in control of everyone he comes in contact with, even his wife calls him hulky. Tom’s main trait is his desire for power and dominance of others, he fills his life with people he feels is in a lower class than him; Nick Carraway, the narrator, is no exception. Fitzgerald expresses Tom’s dominance through his money, appearance, dialogue, and “people preferences”.
Tom Buchanan’s …show more content…
Tom had known Nick in college because they belonged to the same senior society, however turned up in completely diverse situations. When he greets Nick he is wearing a supercilious expression with his legs far apart, in a dominating stance (Fitzgerald 7). Fitzgerald correspondingly goes on to describe Tom’s physique as “capable of enormous leverage” and “cruel” (7). By adding the word “cruel”, to Tom’s appearance can give one the idea that he is abusive, which is not surprising with the way he handles others. When Nick is walking up to Tom’s manor, Tom forcibly turns Nick around countless times to show him the house (Fitzgerald 7). This act on Tom’s part displays a mix between a peacock and a lion; the peacock aspect is him flaunting his extravagant manor and the lion is the dominance he has over Nick; and possibly others close to him. Tom also formulates a sense of cockiness towards Nick, while showing him the house, when he says, “…just because I’m stronger and more of a man than you are” (Fitzgerald 7). This obviously signifies the dominance Tom has over Nick and further establishes the idea that Tom centers himself around people in a lower class than he
Show More

Related Documents: Tom Buchanan Character Analysis Essay

How Is Tom Buchanan And Jay Gatsby Alike

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…

Words 963 - Pages 4

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Great Gatsby Essay example

Evans AP English 110 29 October 2014 The Great Gatsby Analysis Essay The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald presents in his story two distinct female characters that are represented as “modernize” women during the Jazz Age. Those two women are Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker. Each has their own unique personality and way of life. However, both show the type of woman that escapes from the traditional role and become more progressive. Daisy Buchanan represents the women in the 1920’s that is materialistic…

Words 825 - Pages 4

Character Analysis The Great Gatsby

home to the new rich. Those who live there like to participate in displays of wealth. Nick’s modest home is next to Gatsby’s mansion. Their neighbors lack social connections, unlike Nick. When having dinner with his cousin and her husband, Tom Buchanan, Tom tries to interest the others in…

Words 1405 - Pages 6

Bill Clinton Essay

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served from 1993 to 2001 as the 42nd President of the United States. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president from the baby boomer generation. Clinton has been described as a New Democrat. Many of his policies have been attributed to a centrist Third Way philosophy of governance. Before becoming president, he was the Governor of Arkansas for five…

Words 8036 - Pages 33