I found it interesting how Tom is becomming a little bitjealous of Gatsby. Tom all of a sudden is asking who Gatsby is and how he made his money. On page 107, Tom says, “Who is this Gatsby anyhow?”.
“Some big bootlegger?”
“Where’s you hear that?” I inquired.
“I didn’t hear it, I just imagined it. A lot of these newly rich people are just big bootleggers, you know.”
It seems as if Tom is trying to convince himself that even though Gatsby is rich, he didn’t make the money in a respectable way. Making Tom’s lack of great fortune not seem as big of a deal to him.
I don’t understand why Tom is getting jealous of Daisy seeing and going to Gatsby’s parties. Daisy has remained faithful to Tom, while Tom is the one who had been unfaithful. Perhaps Tom is jealous of Gatsby because of his money. Maybe Tom is thinking why would Daisy remain with me when she could have a man who has a great fortune? I don’t think that Gatsby is necessarily looking to break up any marriages though.
January 26, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I think Tom really has some nerve to write all self made men off as bootleggers just because they are not old money. I also find it funny that he is jealous too. It’s ironic that Tom wants to what Gatsby does when Tom doesn’t even have an occupation.
I am so annoyed by these characters.
Dawn
January 26, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I thought your post was very interesting. Even though Tom has cheated on Daisy, it is expected that he is going to be jealous of Gatsby. Gatsby is a man of great wealth and fortune. Daisy can easily chose to be with him; however, she chooses to remain faithful to Tom. Tom is worried because he knows how easily it can be for Daisy to cheat on him since Tom has had an affair with Mrtyle. Also, I think Gatsby would love for their marriage to be ended because Daisy has always been his great love.
January 28, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I think you’re interpretation was really interesting, but I can’t say that I agree with it 100%. As I was reading the book, I was under the impression that Tom was also extremely rich, he just didn’t flaunt it around or spend it on lavish items just to impress a girl. Therefore, I don’t think Tom was jealous of Gatsby’s money. On the contrary, I think that he looked down on it as disgusting. He earned it in a mysterious way, and then spends it all in on a huge showy display.
Also, I totally think that Gatsby wants to end the marriage between Daisy and Tom. On page 109, it says, “He wanted nothing less of Daisy than she should go to TOm and say: “I never loved you.”…after she was free, they were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house-just as if it were five years ago.” I think Gatsby wants Tom totally out of the picture, which would mean ending the marriage.
January 29, 2007 at 12:44 am
Being that I have actually had like a real life experiance in just this type of situation I must say that although at the moment it might not seem like Gatsby wants to tear Tom and Daisy apart I would have to agree with literaturer and say that he really does. Must guys once they are set on the girl they want they will do anything to impress her and her being in a relationship is of little consenquence. Like while Daisy’s marriage to Tom is standing in the way of Gatsby having Daisy I still think that he won’t back down and will continue trying to win her over.