Character Analysis: Examining Tom Buchanan's Role in The Great Gatsby

This essay delves into the character of Tom Buchanan from F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, analyzing his role and impact on the narrative. The essay examines Buchanan's portrayal as a figure of old money, highlighting his arrogance, ignorance, and the moral ambiguities surrounding his actions. The analysis explores how Buchanan's wealth and power influence his behavior and relationships, particularly with Daisy. The essay also discusses how the author uses Buchanan to critique the themes of materialism and societal values in the novel. Through close reading and referencing relevant academic sources, the essay provides a comprehensive understanding of Buchanan's significance within the context of *The Great Gatsby*.

Running head: ENGLISH LITERATURE
English Literature
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ENGLISH LITERATURE
The character of Tom Buchanan is one of the strongest and most influential characters in
the novel The Great Gatsby. He might be depicted as a very strong character in the novel with
his masculinity but he has been ignorant in his attitude throughout the novel. He has been
presented as the chief figure of the old money (Tran: 26). He married Daisy who also belonged
to the upper class society and belonged to the old money. In this novel, there are lots of
opportunities, where the moral character of Tom Buchanan can be questioned. In the book, his
behavior has indeed taken the ignorant approach indeed.
Any kind of moral doctrine is completely absent in his character. Therefore, he is
confident about his capabilities though he was actually very much ignorant about these things
(Jiang: 28). The result of his ignorance had led him to acquire the power and wealth in the novel.
He chooses the immortality approach and shows his arrogance by thinking that society could not
do anything to him since he had wealth and power.
Though he is shown as a very charming person but he is very arrogant and authoritative
by his own terms. This is why his role in the novel and many chapters is completely negative.
The readers have to see him from the perspectives of Nick only (Tran: 26). The power of
materialism had affected Tom Buchanan in almost every ways. He thought he is more intelligent
of others because of his power and wealth. This also shows his ignorance in the chapters.

2ENGLISH LITERATURE
References
Jiang, Jinxuan. "The Analysis of the tragic reality of The Great Gatsby." 2019 4th International
Conference on Humanities Science and Society Development (ICHSSD 2019). Atlantis
Press, 2019.
Tran, Nhat Linh. "A comparison between the two characters Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby in
The Great Gatsby by FS Fitzgerald." (2015).