In the novel, The Great Gatsby, written by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan each have their own individual views on the past and future. Tom, being born into wealth, automatically distinguishes himself from Gatsby because he never had to work a day in his life for the money that he owns. Gatsby, on the other hand, was not born into money and had to work for everything that he has. Despite the fact that Tom and Gatsby are from two distinctive worlds and have many differences, some of their ideologies correspond based on their life experiences and ambitions.
During Tom’s years at Yale University, he played American football since his size and strength equipped him well for the physical demands of the sport. …show more content…
In one case, at Tom’s party in New York City, Myrtle, the mistress Tom is having an affair with, begins to bother him about his wife, Daisy, and he breaks her nose. Gatsby is absolutely positive that he can repeat his life with Daisy and make it the exact same as it was 5 years ago. When his neighbour and Daisy’s cousin, Nick, says, “You can’t repeat the past.” Gatsby replies, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald, 110). Gatsby firmly believes that Daisy will leave everything behind and tell Tom that she never loved him and start a new life with him, he tells Nick, “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before” (Fitzgerald, 110). The problem with Gatsby’s dream is that his love for Daisy is unrequited, Daisy doesn’t love Gatsby enough to leave her life with Tom behind to be with him since so much has changed within the 5 years that they were apart. Pammy, Daisy’s daughter with Tom, is a constant reminder for Gatsby that his goal to repeat history will not be as simple as it …show more content…
For instance, Tom has some very backward notions and speculations about other races. As society progresses, Tom is completely against changes being made because he has his own vision for the future of America. Tom says to Nick, “Civilization is going to pieces” (Fitzgerald, 12) then asks him if he has read The Rise of the Coloured Empires, which stated that people of colour were taking over and that the white race needs to take the precautions necessary to take control before the other races overpower them. Tom tells Nick, “Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is if we don’t look out, the white race will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff, it’s been proved.” (Fitzgerald,.13) Tom fears that he could lose everything he has to people of other races and believes that something must be done about it. Tom’s ideas contradict the symbol of the American Dream, which is the idea that if you work hard, no matter who you are, you will be successful. Societies goals of equality, progress, and the pursuit of happiness have been corrupted by the emptiness
During Tom’s years at Yale University, he played American football since his size and strength equipped him well for the physical demands of the sport. …show more content…
In one case, at Tom’s party in New York City, Myrtle, the mistress Tom is having an affair with, begins to bother him about his wife, Daisy, and he breaks her nose. Gatsby is absolutely positive that he can repeat his life with Daisy and make it the exact same as it was 5 years ago. When his neighbour and Daisy’s cousin, Nick, says, “You can’t repeat the past.” Gatsby replies, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (Fitzgerald, 110). Gatsby firmly believes that Daisy will leave everything behind and tell Tom that she never loved him and start a new life with him, he tells Nick, “I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before” (Fitzgerald, 110). The problem with Gatsby’s dream is that his love for Daisy is unrequited, Daisy doesn’t love Gatsby enough to leave her life with Tom behind to be with him since so much has changed within the 5 years that they were apart. Pammy, Daisy’s daughter with Tom, is a constant reminder for Gatsby that his goal to repeat history will not be as simple as it …show more content…
For instance, Tom has some very backward notions and speculations about other races. As society progresses, Tom is completely against changes being made because he has his own vision for the future of America. Tom says to Nick, “Civilization is going to pieces” (Fitzgerald, 12) then asks him if he has read The Rise of the Coloured Empires, which stated that people of colour were taking over and that the white race needs to take the precautions necessary to take control before the other races overpower them. Tom tells Nick, “Well, it’s a fine book, and everybody ought to read it. The idea is if we don’t look out, the white race will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff, it’s been proved.” (Fitzgerald,.13) Tom fears that he could lose everything he has to people of other races and believes that something must be done about it. Tom’s ideas contradict the symbol of the American Dream, which is the idea that if you work hard, no matter who you are, you will be successful. Societies goals of equality, progress, and the pursuit of happiness have been corrupted by the emptiness