Tom Buchanan
In this novel Tom Buchanan is the “bad boy”. Mr. Buchanan, Daisy Fay's husband, comes from an old social and immensely wealthy family. He is a Yale graduate showing also his high social standing and profanity.
Because of his college reputation, he still has the nick-names “The Athlete” and “The Polo-Player” (80). He is oftentimes seen as an idol. Tom is a good-looking, sporty and though guy who has verifiable “physical accomplishments”. He is a sturdy, muscular man with “arrogant eyes” (80,7) and a husky voice.
Nevertheless, he has a racial attitude (15,16) he, for example, disapproves intermarriage between the black and white race (95,25). He is very egoistic and has a high opinion of himself (11,16). Therefore Tom has no moral problems about his affair with Myrtle Wilson. He says of himself that he “has almost a second sight […] that tells [him] what to do” (89,37f.).This shows his careless behavior and his supercilious manner.
Moreover he is a rude and violent person (33,31) who sometimes acts boisterously (89,22) and maliciously (106,33).
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