Gatsby

One in every twenty-five people are sociopathic. Their narcissistic charm is the cancerous tumor that devours one’s soul and shatters one’s spirit. However, the addicting cycle of codependency is one that most people cannot seem to break away from. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s sociopathic depiction of Tom Buchanan, in The Great Gatsby, renders the hollowness of the upper class.

Tom Buchanan is crafted by Fitzgerald to represent the shallowness of the upper class. Fitzgerald wants to lure one in and find Tom Buchanan irresistible with his uncanny charm and good looks. However, it seems impossible to completely appreciate Tom Buchanan. Fitzgerald uses an ironic paradox to describe Tom Buchanan as having “two shining arrogant eyes” (7). His eyes are radiant, yet they flicker a revolting quality that gives the reader insight into the true personality of Tom Buchanan. Moreover, manipulative and cunning with a sense of entitlement, Tom Buchanan lacks a sense of remorse, shame, and guilt. He strives for power which is exemplified by his “[breaks] [Myrtle’s] nose with his open hand” (37). From this point on, it is easy to see Tom Buchanan’s deep seated rage as this is the point when the reader knows he is morally and ethically corrupt. Consequently, Tom Buchanan uses his perfected manipulation skills and pathological lying to achieve his wants by being mendacious. He says “that fellow [Jay] [has] it coming to him” (178) and admits to Nick that “[he] tells [George] the truth” (178) when ironically it is Tom Buchanan’s hatred for Jay that cynically twists the “truth”. Tom Buchanan knows he won’t have to get his hands dirty and kill Jay himself; giving him a lack of respect for a human life and embracing his shallowness.

The Great Gatsby emphasizes the hollowness of the upper class through Tom Buchanan and his icy heart. The sociopathic nature of the upper class illustrates them to be inhumane and fickle; always flaking to a side that will benefit them more and...