Comparing Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan

Comparing Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan

The book "The Great Gatsby" is beautifully written with the intention of providing the reader a clear view of the wealthy (through the eyes of Nick Carraway) during the Roaring Twenties. Two characters that are very important to the story and eventually end the story are Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. Though they have some similarities, their personalities, jobs, and lovers are very much different in the way they live their lives throughout the story.

Both Gatsby and Tom live a very stable and wealthy life. They are both able to flaunt and spend money anywhere and anytime they want without worry. Gatsby and Tom also like to party all the time. In fact, Gatsby holds a party almost every week no matter what the cost is. That's just the way the rich lead they're life; they party. Daisy, Tom's wife happens to be the one thing that Gatsby has been chasing after since the war. Gatsby loves her more than anything, but unfortunately she is on the East Egg where Gatsby cannot go.

Gatsby's personality is very much the opposite of Tom's. He is more of a giving and kind person who doesn't want a problem with anyone else. He would do anything to make someone happy. As one of the twins stated while at Gatsbys' party, " There's something funny about a fellow that'll do a thing like that, he doesn't want trouble with anybody"(p48). Now Tom on the other hand, is a very cocky and arrogant man who thinks he can pretty much do anything he wants. Tom once says to Nick, " Now, don't think my opinion on these matters are final just because I'm stronger and more of a man than you are"(p11). What kind of friend would say that to someone they haven't seen in a while? Tom is also a very racist person who thinks that the white race was going to be overtaken. He says, "The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be- will be utterly submerged" (p17). Nowhere in the book do you read that Gatsby is racist at all; concluding once again that he doesn't want trouble with anyone.

Tom Buchanan makes his money from being a professional polo player and a well-known breeder of horses. It obviously pays a large amount of money, because they are living in the East Egg and can afford most anything. Now Jay Gatsby has a more mysterious background for his wealth.