Exploring Tom Buchanan: Wealth, Racism, and Arrogance in "The Great Gatsby"
Written on
Chapter 1: The Landscape of Wealth and Racism in the 1920s
Greetings, esteemed scholars and aspiring athletes. This is Walter Bowne.
Let’s discuss Tom Buchanan from Fitzgerald's 1922 classic, The Great Gatsby. If you've been attentive to this brief yet profound work, you've likely noticed the underlying themes of white nationalism, racism, sexism, and elitism.
The societal issues surrounding Tom Buchanan in the 1920s are still relevant today.
We start with Tom's introduction in Chapter One. Nick Carraway recalls, "I drove over to East Egg to see the Tom Buchanans." Here, Daisy is portrayed more as an object than a person—more property belonging to "the Toms." Nick mentions, "I knew Tom in college and spent a few days with them in Chicago," revealing a paradox of familiarity and distance.
Tom boasts physical prowess, having been the most formidable tight end at Yale. However, this also serves as a critique of those who achieve "acute limited excellence"—a paradoxical achievement that results in a lack of fulfillment later in life.
Nick observes, “He had changed since his New Haven years. Now he was a sturdy, straw-haired man of thirty, with a rather hard mouth and an arrogant demeanor. His two shining, haughty eyes seemed to exert dominance over his face, giving him the impression of always leaning aggressively forward.”
This brings to mind Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days," where individuals nostalgically cling to their past triumphs. Tom's limitations, primarily physical and abusive in nature, foreshadow further cruelty. His wealth allows him to indulge in polo ponies, a symbol of his upper-class status.
Nick's insights highlight Fitzgerald's critique of classism. The author himself felt somewhat out of place among the affluent, countering the misconception that he sought their approval. Tom is depicted as a restless figure, mingling among the elite but never truly belonging.
Fitzgerald further illustrates Tom's volatile nature, as he continuously seeks past glories—like a long-lost football game—failing to recognize that those days are gone. This turbulence and aggression define Tom's character throughout the novel.
Tom's initial appearance in riding attire does little to conceal his raw physicality. "Not even the effeminate flair of his riding clothes could obscure the sheer power of his physique," Nick notes. Tom's body, capable of immense force, is emblematic of his cruel disposition.
We will witness this brutality manifest throughout the narrative—evidenced by injuries and, ultimately, tragic outcomes for those less fortunate.
Tom's very name carries weight, echoing historical and presidential significance, albeit associated with weakness. His voice—gruff and heavy with condescension—has made him widely disliked during his college years. Despite this, he remains indifferent to public opinion, wielding power like a weapon.
Nick senses Tom's desire for approval, which adds to the complexity of his character.
The first video, "White Supremacy, Racism, and Indigenous Erasure in 'The Great Gatsby,'" delves into the themes of racism and cultural erasure present in the novel. It provides a contemporary lens on how these issues persist today.
Section 1.1: The Arrival of the Destroyer
On page eight, Tom's entrance is marked by a decisive bang as he shuts the rear doors. The sudden quiet that follows symbolizes his overpowering presence—a destroyer, not a nurturer.
He disrupts the atmosphere, causing Daisy and Jordan to momentarily float in the stillness. His arrival is marked by an unsettling energy, instantly shifting the mood.
In a moment of tension, Daisy remarks, "You did it, Tom. I know you didn't mean to, but you did it. That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen." The adjectives she uses are telling—far from flattering.
Tom’s response to Daisy’s description reveals his fragile ego as he bristles at the term “hulking.” The irony lies in his violent outbursts, evidenced by his claim, "Civilization is going to pieces." His pessimism is directed outward, blaming the very groups he opposes.
This period saw the rise of eugenics and a virulent anti-immigrant sentiment, with figures like the German Bund attempting to leverage American history for their racially charged agendas.
Racism and white nationalism are not new phenomena; they echo throughout history.
The second video, "Examples of Racism in 'The Great Gatsby,'" presents various instances of racism depicted in the narrative, offering insight into the societal attitudes of the time.
Section 1.2: The Illusion of Superiority
Fitzgerald meticulously uses language to characterize Tom Buchanan. Words like "pieces," "broke," and "violent" paint a picture of a man deeply flawed. The chaos he perceives in society is a reflection of his own shortcomings.
The notion that civilization is crumbling is not due to the contributions of marginalized groups; it is a consequence of individuals like Tom, who represent a misguided sense of superiority.
Tom’s belief in a "scientific" hierarchy is emblematic of his ignorance. His wealth allows him access to elite institutions, but it does not confer wisdom or insight. Nick's dismissal of Tom's preferred literature underscores this disparity.
Tom's constant fear of losing status manifests in his racially charged rhetoric. As societal dynamics shift, he perceives a threat to his privileged existence.
Daisy, in a moment of dark humor, quips about "beating them down," revealing the absurdity of Tom's worldview. His insistence on racial superiority is steeped in ignorance, as he lacks any genuine understanding of culture or intellect.
Chapter 2: Hypocrisy and Oppression in 1920s America
Fitzgerald's early pages expose the entrenched racism of the 1920s, with prominent figures like Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh shaping public discourse. These sentiments would eventually contribute to the rise of fascism and global conflict.
Tom's very presence is a metaphor for destruction. Even his footsteps signal an intent to dominate and impress. The complex dynamics in his relationships reveal his hypocrisy—while he criticizes Daisy for her social behavior, he remains a libertine.
His home life is fraught with contradictions, as he neglects his daughter while engaging in extramarital affairs. Daisy's desire for her daughter to be a "little fool" reflects the toxic environment they inhabit.
In contrast to Tom's overt racism, Daisy's references to "our white girlhood" suggest a subtler complicity in the prevailing attitudes of the time.
Chapter 3: The Enigma of Power and Ignorance
Whiteness plays a pivotal role in the overt and covert racism depicted in The Great Gatsby. While Nick observes rather than participates in these attitudes, Tom's influence remains pervasive.
Daisy's comments about "our white girlhood" symbolize the false purity associated with racial identity. Fitzgerald's use of color imagery—white for innocence and yellow for corruption—serves to highlight the complexity of these characters.
Tom Buchanan embodies a fascinating portrayal of the 1920s, a time of technological progress overshadowed by racial tensions and anti-Semitism. These issues would eventually culminate in the rise of extremist ideologies and global conflict.
The perils of nationalism during World War II serve as a grim reminder of the consequences of hatred and division.
Thank you for engaging with this analysis. For more insights from Walter Bowne on Books Are Our Superpower, please stay tuned.