Analysis of Tom | Teen Ink

Analysis of Tom

June 6, 2011
By Jessie12 BRONZE, Oak Park, Illinois
Jessie12 BRONZE, Oak Park, Illinois
2 articles 0 photos 1 comment

The novel is The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The analysis of Tom as a traditional man is through a feminist lens, because Tom has double standards against Daisy, Tom thinks it’s acceptable to physically abuse Myrtle, and lastly Tom views social behavior differently.

The analysis of Tom as a traditional man through a feminist lens shows Tom has double standards against Daisy. Tom thinks it’s acceptable to cheat on Daisy with Myrtle. He sees no wrong in it. Then when he sees’s Daisy flirting with Gatsby. There’s a big deal about it. In the scene where Daisy says, “I love you,” to Gatsby, Nick describes Tom’s reaction. “ His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby, and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as someone he knew a long time ago” ( 119). Here Tom shows a double standard with his wife Daisy. Previously Tom had had an affair, feeling proud about prowess with women. It did not occur to him how Daisy would feel about this. However, when Daisy says “I love you”, to Gatsby, Tom feels all the emotions Daisy feels when he has his affairs. Such as sadness and anger.

The analysis of Tom as a traditional man is through a feminist lens in the book. Tom thinks it’s acceptable to physically abuse Myrtle. Tom has a mistress in New York named Myrtle. Tom and Myrtle throw a party at their apartment. Later that night Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose for no reason. All she did was said Daisy’s name repeatedly. In chapter two Nick describes a scene at the apartment. “Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand” (37). One may claim that Tom gets outraged because hearing Daisy’s name brings up the past with Daisy. By using this anger Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose. This is Tom’s way of trying to calm down. Tom is feeling a mix of emotions, he really wants Myrtle but Daisy is his wife. Thus, Tom character is feeling guilty for cheating on Daisy, so in result Tom physically abuses Myrtle, by breaking her nose.

The analysis of Tom as a traditional man is through a feminist lens as Tom views social behavior differently. Tom is basically out of his comfort zone in West Egg. In East Egg Tom seems very intellectual. In the scene where Nick, Daisy, Jordan, and Tom have a luncheon Daisy says, “He reads deep books with long words in them” (13). Tom likes to put on a show when he’s in West Egg. While in East Egg Tom seems embarrassed when Daisy tries to say he’s smart. It’s like he has a second identity. Tom acts casual in East Egg and is totally quiet and shy in West Egg.

Tom sets double standards against Daisy, Tom believes it’s alright to physically abuse Myrtle, and lastly Toms social behavior changes from East to West Egg. The analysis of Tom is through a Feminist lens, because he views things differently. Like how he breaks Myrtles nose for no reason, or how he thinks it’s acceptable to cheat on Daisy.


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