Carelessness in The Great Gatsby: an Analysis of Tom Buchanan

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a famous novel that dives into themes like wealth, love, and carelessness in 1920s America. The author shows the reckless behavior of the characters, which mirrors the moral decay of society during the Jazz Age. One character, Tom Buchanan, really embodies carelessness in many parts of his life. This essay will dig into Tom's carelessness as shown in the novel, looking at his actions and their impacts, and ultimately revealing how destructive his behavior is.

One example of Tom's carelessness is in his marriage to Daisy. Even though he's married, Tom has an affair with Myrtle, a married woman from a lower class. This cheating shows how little he cares about marriage and how he's all about his own pleasure. Plus, Tom treats Daisy carelessly too. He often puts her down, ignores her feelings, and plays with her emotions. This is especially clear when Tom brings Daisy and Gatsby together, showing he doesn't care about their feelings or the possible fallout from his actions.

Supporting evidence: In Chapter 2, Tom openly shows off his affair with Myrtle, causing tension and unease during a get-together in New York. Fitzgerald describes Tom's careless behavior, saying, "Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand" (Fitzgerald, 37).

Analysis: Tom's actions not only show his carelessness towards his marriage but also highlight the power dynamics of the time. His physical abuse of Myrtle shows his lack of empathy and disregard for the results of his actions.

Besides his disregard for marriage, Tom also shows carelessness in his racist attitudes. He often makes derogatory comments about people of different races and backgrounds, showing he thinks he's superior. Tom's careless behavior is clear in his chat with Nick, where he says, "Nowadays, people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they'll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and white" (Fitzgerald, 130). This quote shows Tom's racist beliefs and his dismissal of progressive ideas.

Supporting evidence: Tom often uses racial slurs and derogatory language to show his disdain for people of different races. Fitzgerald emphasizes this in Chapter 1, saying, "Tom's got some woman in New York" (Fitzgerald, 13).

Analysis: Tom's racist attitudes not only show his carelessness towards others' feelings but also reflect the deep-seated racism of the 1920s. His beliefs keep discrimination and inequality going, adding to the moral decay of the era.

Another sign of Tom's carelessness is his reckless driving. Throughout the novel, he's shown as a reckless driver, often putting himself and others in danger. This is highlighted in the scene where Tom, Daisy, Nick, and Jordan drive to New York together. Tom drives at high speeds, ignoring traffic rules and risking the lives of those around him.

Supporting evidence: Fitzgerald describes Tom's reckless driving, saying, "We were going sixty miles an hour. We passed through Albany—then twenty miles beyond, the motor stopped running" (Fitzgerald, 64).

Analysis: Tom's reckless driving is a metaphor for his overall carelessness in life. It shows his disregard for the rules and regulations that society follows, highlighting his belief that he's above the consequences of his actions.

In conclusion, Tom Buchanan's character in The Great Gatsby shows carelessness in many parts of his life. His actions in his marriage, racist attitudes, and reckless driving all paint him as reckless and indifferent to others' well-being. Through Tom's character, Fitzgerald highlights the moral decay and excess of the Jazz Age in 1920s America. Looking at Tom's carelessness, readers get a deeper understanding of the consequences of such behavior and the harm it can cause to both individuals and society. As we think about Tom's actions, it's important to consider the broader implications of carelessness in our own lives and try to avoid the destructive path it can lead us down.

Bibliography:

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1925.