Gatsby vs Tom
Gatsby vs. Tom
By: Ryan Leger
In The Great Gatsby the author describes Gatsby and Daisy’s husband Tom- and as he depicts their characteristics, the reader is able to observe similarities and differences between them. The similarities I’m going to discuss are their desire for success and social status, their determination for the things they desire, and their hatred for one another. The differences that contrast these similarities are their desire for success and social status for different reasons, the type of wealth, and their personality types. In the end, despite Tom’s negative light, Daisy chooses him over Gatsby ultimately due to security and the higher value of Tom’s old money.
The two characters, Tom and Gatsby, both value success and social status highly. One way they show this, is by insulting those less wealthy, or demeaning the social status of others. Tom belittles the social status and “new money” of Gatsby in the following quote; "She’s not leaving me!” Tom’s words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. “Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.” (pg. 131) in saying this, Tom degrades Gatsby wealth, comparing him to a “common swindler”. Manny of Toms jabs to Jay were from a financial standpoint, indicating that without wealth there is a large amount of disrespect. Gatsby valued success and social status because it was the only way he would win the approval of Daisy, this can be observed here; “That huge place there?” she cried pointing. “Do you like it?”(Gatsby) “I love it, but I don’t see how you live there all alone.” (Daisy) “I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people.” (Gatsby) (pg. 90). In the mentioned conversation between Daisy and Gatsby, Gatsby both flaunts his wealth to Daisy (“huge place”) and also boasts his social status by indicating that important people and “Celebrated people” are constant visitors to him.
Another
By: Ryan Leger
In The Great Gatsby the author describes Gatsby and Daisy’s husband Tom- and as he depicts their characteristics, the reader is able to observe similarities and differences between them. The similarities I’m going to discuss are their desire for success and social status, their determination for the things they desire, and their hatred for one another. The differences that contrast these similarities are their desire for success and social status for different reasons, the type of wealth, and their personality types. In the end, despite Tom’s negative light, Daisy chooses him over Gatsby ultimately due to security and the higher value of Tom’s old money.
The two characters, Tom and Gatsby, both value success and social status highly. One way they show this, is by insulting those less wealthy, or demeaning the social status of others. Tom belittles the social status and “new money” of Gatsby in the following quote; "She’s not leaving me!” Tom’s words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. “Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.” (pg. 131) in saying this, Tom degrades Gatsby wealth, comparing him to a “common swindler”. Manny of Toms jabs to Jay were from a financial standpoint, indicating that without wealth there is a large amount of disrespect. Gatsby valued success and social status because it was the only way he would win the approval of Daisy, this can be observed here; “That huge place there?” she cried pointing. “Do you like it?”(Gatsby) “I love it, but I don’t see how you live there all alone.” (Daisy) “I keep it always full of interesting people, night and day. People who do interesting things. Celebrated people.” (Gatsby) (pg. 90). In the mentioned conversation between Daisy and Gatsby, Gatsby both flaunts his wealth to Daisy (“huge place”) and also boasts his social status by indicating that important people and “Celebrated people” are constant visitors to him.
Another