Tom Buchanan Flashcards
What does Tom say in Chapter 1 which paints him as extremely racist? HINT: It’s a fine book
“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—will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved.”
This speaks to Tom’s insecurity – even as someone born into incredible money and privilege, there’s a fear it could be taken away by social climbers.
Tom confronting Gatsby about his affair with daisy
“I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife. Well, if that’s the idea you can count me out”
Hes being a total hypocrite as he has affairs all the time, seems to think he’s an exception to the rules.
Tom saying how gatsby is a bootlegger
‘I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, an I wasn’t far wrong.’
Tom insulting gatsby to Nick when they meet again after Gatsbys death
“That fellow had it coming to him. He threw dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy’s, but he was a tough one. He ran over Myrtle like you’d run over a dog and never even stopped his car.”
More gatsby and tom confrontation and how tom sees gatsbys love as like a possession
I’ll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door. But all the rest of that’s a God damned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.”
Notice how Daisy’s love is like a possession to Tom? He sees marriage as a system of ownership, and he’s all about controlling access. Gatsby can bring groceries to the back door and drive her around, but he can’t have anything more.
Tom saying he loves daisy no matter what he does
“And what’s more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time.”
tom talking about gatsby marrying daisy- then explain what the quote implies
She’s not leaving me!” Tom’s words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. “Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.”
Tom sees marriage as an economic exchange: he’s “bought” Daisy honestly, but Gatsby would have to buy her dishonestly. No word on what Daisy wants
