Within The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a hero by the name of Gatsby and a villain by the name of Tom. This time, however, the gorgeous dame, Daisy, chooses the villain. Though this may seem like a twist, looking at it from Daisy perspective makes it clear that she had no intention of leaving her beloved wrongdoer. Tom and Gatsby are more alike than they care to admit, but they each have their own traits defining them as their own unique character.
Throughout the entire novel, Tom is shone in an extremely negative light. He is corrupted to the core and has no redeeming qualities. His wealth and high social status are the only aspect he has that attracts others to him. The day before his wedding he was proven to be cheating on Daisy and never ceases having affairs even after marrying her. “Tom’s got some woman in New York.” (Fitzgerald, 15.) He is selfish and …show more content…
Gatsby, however, is a redeemable character. He thinks not just for himself, but for Daisy. Everything Gatsby does is for Daisy, whether it being throwing a party or moving to a certain place. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (78) He is determined to have a happy ending with her, which sometimes comes off as creepy or delusional, but it is still a step up from the dolt Tom. The most deadly flaw Gatsby has throughout the novel is that he is in love with what Daisy was, not the present Daisy. He is in love with a girl who was, not the girl who is. He believes it all will turn around and the brighter past with return, but it is all hopes and dreams that never become reality. Nonetheless, Gatsby is more clever than Tom and has a mysterious atmosphere surrounding him, which makes him more interesting, though this can be exploited. Tom, however, is more out there than Gatsby, who would rather stick to the back while Tom wants to be the center of
Throughout the entire novel, Tom is shone in an extremely negative light. He is corrupted to the core and has no redeeming qualities. His wealth and high social status are the only aspect he has that attracts others to him. The day before his wedding he was proven to be cheating on Daisy and never ceases having affairs even after marrying her. “Tom’s got some woman in New York.” (Fitzgerald, 15.) He is selfish and …show more content…
Gatsby, however, is a redeemable character. He thinks not just for himself, but for Daisy. Everything Gatsby does is for Daisy, whether it being throwing a party or moving to a certain place. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” (78) He is determined to have a happy ending with her, which sometimes comes off as creepy or delusional, but it is still a step up from the dolt Tom. The most deadly flaw Gatsby has throughout the novel is that he is in love with what Daisy was, not the present Daisy. He is in love with a girl who was, not the girl who is. He believes it all will turn around and the brighter past with return, but it is all hopes and dreams that never become reality. Nonetheless, Gatsby is more clever than Tom and has a mysterious atmosphere surrounding him, which makes him more interesting, though this can be exploited. Tom, however, is more out there than Gatsby, who would rather stick to the back while Tom wants to be the center of