The Great Gatsby: Character & Key Quotes: Tom Buchanan

Character Profile: Tom Buchanan

Tom Buchanan is introduced as Daisy’s immensely wealthy husband, and he embodies the brutal and crude nature of the old American wealth.
Tom is depicted as recklessly assertive and discriminatory, epitomised by his patronising behaviour and his belief in white supremacy.
He is the antithesis of Gatsby, representing material wealth without the romantic idealism, showing the lesser side of the American dream.
He remains unaffected by the tragedies, and his survival underscores the harsh reality of unequal consequences in society.

Key Quotes:

Characterisation and Relationships:

“Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward.” This describes Tom’s aggressive and dominating nature, setting the tone for his character.
“His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed.” Here is a portrayal of Tom’s inherent energy for confrontation and control.
“Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.” Tom is blind to the emotional depth of Daisy’s feelings for Gatsby, emphasising his insensitivity and entitlement.
“I’ve got a nice place here.” With this quote, Tom proudly presents the physical manifestation of his wealth, showing his obsession with material possessions.

Key Themes: Class, Wealth and Moral Corruption:

“Civilisation’s going to pieces… The white race will be utterly submerged.” Tom’s racist views reflect the fear of losing social status and privilege, embracing the theme of class and racism in the 1920s.
“I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife.” This remark on Gatsby’s lower status and his relationship with Daisy reveals Tom’s fear of a shifting social order, playing into the themes of wealth, class and moral corruption.
“She’s not leaving me! Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.” Tom’s dismissal of Gatsby’s love for Daisy, reducing it to criminality, underscores the theme of wealth’s corrupting influence.

Role in the Novel’s Climax:

“I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him.” Tom’s judgment and revealing of Gatsby’s occupation instigate the events leading to Gatsby’s downfall.
“What if I did tell him? That fellow had it coming to him.” Tom’s confession of his role in Gatsby’s death highlights his indifference to the tragedy, reflecting his moral bankruptcy.