Character: Tom Buchanan

Tom’s Background

Tom Buchanan is introduced as Daisy’s husband, and a wealthy, dominant and arrogant man. He hails from an old, privileged family in Chicago, and is part of the established aristocracy, the “old money”.
He attended Yale and was a well-known football player, contributing to his physically commanding presence.
Buchanan’s ancestral wealth and sense of entitlement are significant as they represent the American aristocracy of the early 20th century.

Tom’s Personality Traits

Tom is often depicted as a physically dominant bully, due to his athletic build and aggressive behaviour. His physical prowess and strength are an innate part of his personality, symbolising his power and domineering personality.
Buchanan is known for his racist ideologies and a pompous belief in social hierarchies. These ideas are brought to the fore in the book when he discusses ‘The Rise of the Coloured Empires’.
He is characterised as rude and inconsiderate; his adultery is a testament to this. He carries an air of superiority and arrogance about him, treating people in a dismissive and degrading manner, evident in how he interacts with Myrtle, his mistress, and Gatsby.

Tom’s Infidelity and Hypocrisy

Tom is unfaithful to Daisy with Myrtle Wilson, choosing to be blatant about his affair, whilst expecting Daisy to conform to societal norms of decency and loyalty.
His double standards are further highlighted when he becomes outraged at Daisy’s affair with Gatsby, showing little regard for her feelings due to his own ego and possessiveness.

Tom and the American Dream

Tom is one of the characters who has already achieved the American Dream, coming from a wealthy family and having everything provided for him.
However, despite having everything he could possibly want, Tom still lacks contentment, seeking satisfaction in affairs and belittling others, demonstrating the emptiness at the heart of such privilege and wealth.

Summary

Tom Buchanan is a representation of the entitled American aristocracy, and the hollowness of the American Dream. His disregard for others, his hypocrisy, and his highly racist views make him a symbol of the moral decay lying beneath the seemingly perfect surface of the American society during the roaring twenties. Through the character of Tom, Fitzgerald explores the idea of wealth being linked with immorality, and the destructive impact of excessive privilege.