In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the lives of the wealthy in New York are presented in detail throughout the novel. The two protagonists Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are amongst the affluent, and although both characters share the same classes in society they lead quite different lives and are very different people in many aspects. The way they treat towards others, how they acquired their wealth, and their perspectives on life are some of the main things that separate Tom and Gatsby. Through these differences, it is evident that of the two men Gatsby rises above as being more deserving of his wealth than Tom.
Firstly, Tom’s behavior towards others is not up to par in comparison to Gatsby’s, especially for being a man of wealth. Tom …show more content…
Tom values his possessions and high class in society, as he says “I’ve got a nice place here” (13) to Nick when he visits the Buchanan’s house. This shows that Tom likes to brag about what he has, and that he strives to have “a nice place”. Nick also describes Tom’s careless ways: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” (170). This shows that Tom views life very carelessly and only focuses on money and materialistic possessions. Gatsby on the other hand, has one main focus in life: Daisy. “Gatsby bought [his] house so that Daisy would be just across the bay” (76). Gatsby also throws all his parties just so that one day Daisy could show up. And although Gatsby never gets back together with Daisy, he has a life passion for her and truly loves her. This in contrast with Tom’s love of temporary materialistic things is much more honorable and everlasting, regardless of the outcome of Gatsby’s doings. Gatsby’s perspective is more acceptable than Tom’s, that is why through this Gatsby deserves his wealth more that Tom
Firstly, Tom’s behavior towards others is not up to par in comparison to Gatsby’s, especially for being a man of wealth. Tom …show more content…
Tom values his possessions and high class in society, as he says “I’ve got a nice place here” (13) to Nick when he visits the Buchanan’s house. This shows that Tom likes to brag about what he has, and that he strives to have “a nice place”. Nick also describes Tom’s careless ways: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together and let other people clean up the mess they had made…” (170). This shows that Tom views life very carelessly and only focuses on money and materialistic possessions. Gatsby on the other hand, has one main focus in life: Daisy. “Gatsby bought [his] house so that Daisy would be just across the bay” (76). Gatsby also throws all his parties just so that one day Daisy could show up. And although Gatsby never gets back together with Daisy, he has a life passion for her and truly loves her. This in contrast with Tom’s love of temporary materialistic things is much more honorable and everlasting, regardless of the outcome of Gatsby’s doings. Gatsby’s perspective is more acceptable than Tom’s, that is why through this Gatsby deserves his wealth more that Tom