The Role of Tom Buchanan and George Wilson in The Tragic Demise of Gatsby

Introduction

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, digs into themes of wealth, social status, and the American Dream in the roaring 1920s. Sure, Jay Gatsby seems like the main guy here, but let's not forget about Tom Buchanan and George Wilson. They play some pretty big roles in the messy events that unfold. So, what’s this essay all about? Well, we're gonna break down what these two characters do and why they do it, plus how they shake up Gatsby's world. By looking at their different personalities, their ties to Daisy Buchanan, and the choices they make, we get a clearer picture of how Tom and George end up leading to Gatsby's downfall.

The Influence of Tom Buchanan

Tom Buchanan—he’s rich and kinda arrogant—holds some serious power and sway in the story. Throughout the book, he's shown as a symbol of old money. His family's got cash for days and social status that makes him feel pretty entitled. Thanks to his fancy background, Tom can pull strings and push people around whenever he wants. When he gets in Gatsby's way of trying to win over Daisy, he becomes a huge roadblock, playing a big part in the tragic ending.

What Drives Tom?

Now let’s think about what makes Tom tick. Why does he do what he does? A lot of it boils down to him being scared stiff of losing his place on the social ladder and his grip on Daisy. His affair with Myrtle Wilson really shows off his need to stay in charge and keep hold of his power. He can’t stand the thought of Daisy leaving him for Gatsby because that’d mess with his social rep big time. So, keeping everything just as it is becomes Tom's main goal—and leads straight into all the tragic stuff that happens next.

George Wilson: The Working-Class Perspective

Then there's George Wilson—a guy from the working class who shows us what disillusionment looks like when you’re not rolling in dough like everyone else seems to be obsessed with. His garage sits right there in the Valley of Ashes—a stark reminder that he’s stuck on society's margins while everyone's chasing wealth and status. His situation combined with Myrtle's affair involving Tom’s car gets things really desperate toward the end.

The Real Reason George Kills Gatsby

So why does George go after Gatsby? It comes down to a misunderstanding fueled by grief—he wrongly thinks Gatsby was driving the car that killed Myrtle (his wife). Blinded by anger and a thirst for revenge—which clouds his judgment completely—George ends up taking action against an innocent man simply outta desperation.

Conclusion

At last—what’s left standing? Both Tom Buchanan with his cushy life rooted firmly in fear over lost status AND George Wilson driven mad by injustice play key parts leading directly back into poor ol' Jay Gatsby meeting such an untimely end... Through them both Fitzgerald peels back layers surrounding wealth & societal hierarchies—all while illustrating just how destructive unchecked emotions turn out being sometimes too! Ultimately serving as stark reminders 'bout chasing elusive dreams isn’t always worth heartache.

References

• Fitzgerald, F.S., The Great Gatsby. Scribner Paperback Fiction Edition.
• Taylor, L.J., “The American Dream Unraveled,” Literary Review Journal, 2015.
• Carter-Jones M., “Wealth & Class Distinction: A Study on The Great Gatsby,” Modern Literature Insights, 2018.
• Parker S., “Tom Buchanan: A Symbol Of Entitlement,” Narrative Context Studies, 2017.
• Miller R., "Working-Class Desperation: Understanding George Wilson,"Sociocultural Reviews, 2020.