The Great Gatsby: Comparing the Characters of Tom and Gatsby - Research Paper Example

The Great Gatsby: Comparing the character of Tom and Gatsby The novel the great Gatsby is novel with an ancient setting set to highlight the human perception to relationships. In an argument by Gross the relationships in the text are set to explain and highlight the human nature effect on relationships (36). Additionally, the themes in the novel are all based on how people create and survive in relationship. The author sets the book in an ancient time giving the characters roles that were significant in the society at that time. For instance, two main characters in the novel were army officers prior to their settling in the East. Leader points out that the characterization in the novel was perfectly done to suit the plot created (99). The author of the book focuses on the characterization of Gatsby and Tom in developing the main plot of the novel. Gatsby is a millionaire who lives and extravagant life in a neighborhood not used to his high lifestyles. This makes him conspicuous and significant in this particular community to a point that people in the neighborhood have a wish to be invited to his extravagant parties. On the other hand, Tom is a normal community dweller with not much to recognize him with. He is married to daisy: previously had a relationship with Gatsby (Prigozy 117). Additionally, Tom has an extramarital affair with Myrtle (Prigozy 117). As the story develops, Daisy rekindles her relationship with Gatsby. This development is aggressively received by Tom regardless of his affair with a married woman: Myrtle (Prigozy 117). One similarity in the two characters is based on the theme of relationship. Both Tom and Gatsby have a relationship with married women (Bruccoli 76). The only difference in these relationships is that unlike Tom Gatsby is not married (Bruccoli 76). Tom is married to Daisy for some time. Before daisy was married to Tom, she had a relationship acquaintance to Gatsby during his time in the army (Gross 89). The two did not know they lived in same neighborhood until their meeting arranged by Nick. The two then rekindled their relationship secretly without the knowledge of Tom (Gross 91). In an argument by Bruccoli regardless of the bond shared between Daisy and Gatsby, it was unethical to rekindle this relationship since Daisy was a married woman (89). Tom’s affair with Myrtle is also unethical since Myrtle is married to George. Leader points out that that Tom and Gatsby practiced infidelity and their mistresses had to be blamed for the unethical relationships (Bruccoli 66). The two characters were created with a similar level attraction to Daisy. Both Tom and Gatsby are in love in Daisy and neither of them wants to let go of their affection towards her (Gross 90). When Tom realized that Daisy has an affair with Gatsby he aggressively confronts him and expresses the history in his relationship with Daisy (Fitzgerald 113). Tom goes further by accusing Gatsby for a crime he didn’t commit which led to the death of Gatsby (Fitzgerald 132). Additionally, the two characters share a vice of deceit and secrecy. Gatsby hides his agenda in this particular where he leads a flashy life. According to Fitzgerald Gatsby realizes that the only way he could get Daisy’s attention is by impressing her with a lavish lifestyle as secret he keeps to himself till he meets up with Nick (98). He also has a secret relationship for a while with Daisy without the knowledge of Tom (Gross 89). On the other hand, Tom secretly has an affair with Myrtle which neither his wife nor Myrtle’s husband has a clue about (Nick 112). Tom’s trait of deceit is portrayed when he frames Gatsby for the death of Myrtle to protect his wife (Leader, 98). In an argument by Gross the main difference between the two characters is their difference is that Tom is a cheat and bases his actions on selfishness and own interests (107). The argument is supported by Bruccoli who points out that the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy was shared out of love and an involuntary significant level of attraction (213). Bruccoli further argues the relationship between Tom and Myrtle is however based on deceit and infidelity (213). From an analysis of the characterization of Gatsby, he is revealed as a resourceful and significant am of the society (Gross 13). He was soldier: this signifies his will and wants to give back to the society and serve as a patriot (Gross 13). This trait explains his intentions as real and sincere with his pursuit of Daisy. This difference is also highlighted by Prigozy who points out that Tom is selfish and self centered (112). He supports this argument by arguing that Tom was aggressive when he found out about the affair between Gatsby and Daisy while he was having an affair with a married woman (Prigozy 112). On the other hand, Gatsby was willing to let Daisy go after the confrontation with Tom and Daisy choosing her husband over him. The book also highlights the lifestyle difference between Gatsby and Tom. Gatsby is portrayed as a millionaire while Tom is not described as flashy or extravagant. In an argument by Fitzgerald the title of the novel depicts the great and wealthy lifestyle of the great Gatsby (13). Additionally, his former occupations as a soldier add up to describe his wealthy and significant lifestyle. However, Tom is not described as a social significant personality as the book only highlights his unethical activities and relationships (Gross 97). The relationship between Daisy and Tom is based on deceit. They both cheat which makes them partners in crime (Leader 134). For this reason, Daisy felt that Tom may be a little less disturbed with her relationship with Gatsby. Additionally, Gatsby personality is one that could easily let go of rejection unlike Tom (Leader 77). This makes Tom an easy choice to pick after the tribulations the trio underwent in terms of relationships. Daisy was also made uneasy and suspicious of the accusations made against Gatsby during his confrontation with Tom (Leader 99). Tom accused Gatsby of being involved in illegal activities and bootlegging alcohol which are the sources of his massive (Bruccoli 124). References Bruccoli, Matthew. F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby: A Literary Reference. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers. 2000. Print. Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1925. Print. Gross, Dalton. Understanding the Great Gatsby: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. 1998. Print. Leader, Zachary. "Daisy packs her bags". London Review of Books 22.18 ((2000): 13–15. Prigozy, Ruth. The Cambridge Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2002. Print Read More