Tom's Dream In The Great Gatsby

Tom must be deceptive to break out from his imprisoned existence. Tom is introduced as “A poet with a job in a warehouse” (363), and his dreams do not consist of working in a factory. He detests his job and states, “I’d rather somebody picked up a crowbar and battered out my brains—than go back mornings” (373). His escape appears to be unavoidable from the beginning. He says from the start, “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve” (364). It is known from the beginning that Tom is a deceptive character. “I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion” (364). Tom’s reality is a deceptive impression of the events. Tom gets into an argument with his mother, and then he goes out and gets drunk. He staggers …show more content…
He seems so sure of his plan with Laura and Jim that he already has his escape strategy ready. Tom tells Jim, “I’m like my father. The bastard son of a bastard! See how he grins?” (393). The grin signifies that the father was laughing as he abandoned the family. It’s a painful reminder of his deceitful manner that led to him leaving. Tom inherits this desperation to break free of his dull existence and satisfy his desire for adventure by becoming a Merchant …show more content…
Laura is so insecure and is not competent to plan for her future. She doesn’t date because she is too withdrawn to socialize and meet people. It is Amanda that takes the initiative to enroll Laura in Rubicam’s Business College to prepare for a career. When Amanda goes to the business school to check on Laura’s progress she finds out that Laura quit school. Amanda is miserable thinking about the plan for Laura’s future. “Fifty dollars’ tuition, all of our plans – my hopes and ambitions for you – just gone up the spout” (369). She then decides Laura’s future should revolve around finding a mate. Laura allows her mother to control her life and she is comfortable leading a life of dependency. When Amanda tells her to make a wish on the moon Laura replies, “What shall I wish for, Mother?” (386). Laura cannot think on her own or dream without her mother’s advice. Without constant direction, since she has low self-esteem, and lacks confidence, Laura would be lost. Laura is desperate to be left alone in her safe world because of her anxiety and cannot cope when forced into social situations; particularly if she must carry out a task. At Rubicam’s Business College “Her hands shook so that she couldn’t hit the right keys” (369). During the speed test, “. . .she broke down completely—was sick at the stomach and almost had to be carried into the