Under The Shell: Facing Tom's True Self

Table of Contents

• The Inner Struggles of Tom Buchanan
• The Implications of Tom's Inner Conflict
• In Conclusion
• Bibliography

Ever think about what's really going on behind someone's mask? In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," we meet Tom Buchanan. He seems like he's got it all—money, power, the works. But beneath that shiny surface, there's a whole different story. Fitzgerald lets us peek into Tom's mind now and then, showing us his doubts, wants, and what drives him. Looking at these moments can help us understand Tom better and the themes about identity and self-deception in the book.

'Under The Shell: Facing Tom's True Self'

The Inner Struggles of Tom Buchanan

Tom Buchanan is one rich dude with lots of social power. At first glance, he seems all put together. But as you read on, you start seeing cracks in that perfect image. Fitzgerald does a great job showing us that Tom’s outer self is just a front for his inner mess. One moment when this shows up is during a chat with his mistress, Myrtle Wilson. His affair with her is kind of his way out from a bad marriage, but even there, he can't find real happiness. He thinks to himself, "I wanted to get up and slap her face... I love you now – isn't that enough? I can't help what's past" (Fitzgerald 37). This back-and-forth between what he wants and what he should do highlights just how complicated Tom is.

Plus, you see how insecure he really feels deep down inside. Sure, he's loaded and has a high status, but he's always worried about losing his power grip. There's this part where he freaks out about losing control: "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... 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). His fear of social changes shows how much he doubts himself.

The Implications of Tom's Inner Conflict

Tom’s internal battles affect more than just him; they reflect bigger themes in "The Great Gatsby." His tug-of-war between desires and responsibilities echoes the novel’s look at identity and lying to oneself. Characters like Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are also dealing with their true selves versus who they pretend to be.

Moreover, looking at Tom’s struggles helps us see how chasing wealth and power can lead to downfall. His need to stay on top pushes him into reckless acts that hurt others around him. This points out how corrupting materialism can be and how empty life becomes when it's based only on surface success.

In Conclusion

Fitzgerald paints an interesting picture of Tom Buchanan’s thoughts about who he really is inside. His fears, desires, and conflicts tie into larger ideas in "The Great Gatsby." By digging into these glimpses of his inner world, we get why chasing after wealth without depth is dangerous—and why living only for appearances leads nowhere good. The story warns us: don’t just scratch the surface; dig deeper to find who we truly are.

Diving into Tom Buchanan’s character reminds us that real self-discovery means facing our own insecurities head-on. Only by confronting ourselves honestly can we hope to find real happiness in a world where looks often trump substance.

Bibliography

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
• Berman, Ronald M., “The Great Gatsby” and Modern Times. University of Illinois Press, 1994.
• Mizener, Arthur. The Far Side of Paradise: A Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1951.
• Lukens, James F., “The Trouble with Nick Carraway.” Twentieth Century Literature Vol 34 (1988): 103-111.
• Eble, Kenneth E., F Scott Fitzgerald: The Critical Reception. Burt Franklin & Company Inc., 1976.