From the
moment readers meet , we know that he is a bully, an elitist, and arrogant. Asapproaches Tom in
, he describes him as having a voice with "a touch of paternal contempt" and emitting
the attitude of
Now, don't think my opinion on these
matters is final, . . . just because I'm stronger and more of a man that you are.(11)
Similarly, when Tom lapses into his spiel about Goddard's
Rise of the Coloured Empires, he tries to "school" the others at
the table on his white supremacy "knowledge" but is merely spewing out what he read.
He tries to appear to be more intelligent than Nick, , andby belittling Daisy and simplifying
his thoughts for Nick. Nick, of course, is too observant to be fooled and thinks,
There was something pathetic in [Tom's] concentration as if his
complacency, more acute than of old, was not enough for him any more. (18)
Later, Tom's disdain for the attendees at 's party not only
represents his elitist attitude about social classes but also demonstrates his insecurity around
people who are ingenious enough to earn money or talented enough to making
a living from their skills. He isof humans who focus on one conversation point such as a book to
try to appear intellectual.
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