Tom Buchanan In The Great Gatsby

Tom Buchanan is a dynamic character in the book The Great Gatsby. He has a dominant personality which shows in his actions and words. Tom has a craving for power. This craving makes him seem domineering towards people. Tom clearly lets everyone know through what he says and does that he loves power and will do almost anything to attain it.
Starting from the beginning of the novel the reader will notice that Tom is haughty. He has no problems asserting his authority. The reader should also notice that Tom has strong opinions about everything. His stature is strong and he has “two arrogant shining eyes…”(4) which gives the reader an idea of what kind of person Tom is from another character’s viewpoint.
When Tom says that he is stronger and more of a man than Nick, his personality comes out and you can see that he does not care to hurt another person's feelings if it means that he can show him “who’s the boss”. Tom said “just because I am stronger and more of a man than you …show more content…
Nick described Tom as “ a body capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body.” (19) This paints Tom as a brute and because his description was given early in the novel it foreshadows what he will be a belligerent character.
Tom is very proud of himself as he commends everything he does and says. In fact he commends himself so much that other characters have spoken of him highly themselves. Nick says “among various physical accomplishments…”(16) Tom Buchanan has spoken so highly of himself and his achievements in his life that he begins to influence other people's viewpoints.
Tom believes that he has so much power that he freely makes racist comments without batting an eye. He said "the idea is if we don't look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged..." (7) This statement is racist but because he feels that he has the power to say it he does so as well as among other things on his mind no matter the

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