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

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, explores themes of wealth, social status, and the American Dream in the 1920s. While Jay Gatsby is often seen as the central character, it is important to recognize the significant roles played by Tom Buchanan and George Wilson in the tragic events that unfold. This essay aims to analyze the actions and motivations of these two characters and their impact on Gatsby's fate. By examining their contrasting personalities, their connections to Daisy Buchanan, and the implications of their choices, we can understand how Tom and George ultimately contribute to Gatsby's untimely demise.
Topic Sentence: Tom Buchanan, a wealthy and arrogant character, holds a position of power and influence in the novel.
Supporting Evidence: Throughout the text, Tom is depicted as a symbol of old money, with his family's wealth and social standing providing him with a sense of entitlement.
Analysis: Tom's privileged background allows him to exercise control over others, manipulating and exerting dominance throughout the narrative.
Implications: By actively opposing Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, Tom emerges as a formidable obstacle, contributing significantly to the tragic end.
Topic Sentence: Tom's motivations for his actions are rooted in his fear of losing his social status and control over Daisy.
Supporting Evidence: Tom's infidelity with Myrtle Wilson, his mistress, highlights his desire to assert dominance and maintain his position of power.
Analysis: Tom's possessiveness towards Daisy becomes evident as he tries to prevent her from leaving him for Gatsby, fearing that it would undermine his social standing and reputation.
Implications: Tom's determination to maintain the status quo ultimately leads to the tragic unraveling of events, as he orchestrates Gatsby's downfall.
Topic Sentence: George Wilson, a working-class character, represents the disillusionment and desperation of the lower social strata.
Supporting Evidence: George's garage, located in the Valley of Ashes, symbolizes his position as a marginalized individual in a society obsessed with wealth and status.
Analysis: George's circumstances and his wife's affair with Tom Buchanan's car serve as catalysts for his desperate actions towards the end of the novel.
Implications: George's actions, driven by grief and a sense of injustice, play a crucial role in the tragic events that unfold, leading to Gatsby's demise.
Topic Sentence: George's motive for killing Gatsby can be traced back to his misplaced belief that Gatsby was responsible for Myrtle's death.
Supporting Evidence: George, fueled by grief and anger, mistakenly believes that Gatsby was the one driving the car that killed his wife.
Analysis: George's desperate desire for vengeance blinds him to the truth and fuels his determination to seek justice, ultimately leading to Gatsby's murder.
Implications: George's actions highlight the destructive consequences of unchecked emotions and the devastating impact they can have on innocent lives.

In conclusion, Tom Buchanan and George Wilson play significant roles in the tragic demise of Jay Gatsby. Tom's privileged background and motivations rooted in fear of losing his social standing contribute to the unraveling of events. George Wilson's desperate actions, driven by grief and a sense of injustice, ultimately lead to Gatsby's untimely death. Through these characters, F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the themes of wealth, social status, and the destructive nature of unchecked emotions. The tragic end serves as a reminder of the consequences of pursuing the elusive American Dream.