What Has Increased Tom's Hatred Of Gatsby

What Fueled Tom Buchanan's Hatred of Jay Gatsby?

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a masterpiece of American literature, captivating readers for nearly a century with its exploration of wealth, love, loss, and the elusive American Dream. Central to the novel's narrative is the simmering animosity between Tom Buchanan, the brutish and powerful old-money elite, and Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic self-made millionaire. While Gatsby's mysterious past and ill-gotten gains contribute to Tom's disdain, the roots of his hatred run much deeper, stemming from a potent cocktail of factors that reveal the complex nature of class conflict, jealousy, and threatened masculinity.

The Threat to Tom's Masculinity and Social Status

At the heart of Tom's hatred lies a profound insecurity. Gatsby, despite his nouveau riche status, possesses qualities that Tom lacks: genuine romantic devotion (at least outwardly), a relentless pursuit of his goals, and a certain undeniable charisma. Tom's brutish strength and inherited wealth mask a deep-seated inadequacy. He relies on intimidation and physical dominance to assert his power, a strategy that crumbles in the face of Gatsby's seemingly effortless charm and unwavering dedication to Daisy. Gatsby's very existence represents a challenge to Tom's carefully constructed image of masculine supremacy. He is a threat not just to Tom's relationship with Daisy, but to his entire social standing.

Gatsby's Undeniable Appeal to Daisy

Tom's resentment intensifies because of Daisy's evident attraction to Gatsby. While Daisy is far from a paragon of virtue, her initial infatuation with Gatsby reveals a side of her that Tom has never truly understood or appreciated. Daisy's longing for Gatsby highlights Tom's failure to maintain her love and affection. He is a brute, capable of violence and infidelity, while Gatsby, despite his questionable dealings, presents a seemingly more romantic and emotionally available alternative. This perceived threat to his ownership of Daisy deeply wounds Tom's ego and fuels his anger.

The Unseen Battle for Daisy's Affection

The tension between Tom and Gatsby is not merely a rivalry over a woman; it's a fierce battle for control and social dominance. Daisy represents more than a romantic partner; she's a symbol of social standing and a validation of Tom's place within the established elite. Gatsby, with his newfound wealth and undeniable charm, threatens to usurp Tom's position, not just in Daisy's affections, but in the social hierarchy they both inhabit. This threat to Tom’s status quo is a primary driver of his hatred.

Class Conflict and the Old Money vs. New Money Divide

The deep-seated conflict between Tom and Gatsby cannot be understood without acknowledging the significant class divide separating them. Tom embodies the arrogance and entitlement of the established old-money elite, while Gatsby represents the aspirational, often morally ambiguous world of the newly rich. Tom despises Gatsby's ill-gotten wealth, viewing it as illegitimate and a perversion of the traditional social order. He sees Gatsby's attempts to infiltrate the upper echelon of society as a blatant affront to the established hierarchy.

The Subtleties of Class Distinction and Judgment

Tom's disdain isn't simply about money; it's about social standing and inherent perceived worth. He judges Gatsby not only for his wealth's origin but also for his lack of refined taste and social graces. Tom’s casual racism and inherent bigotry toward those who are not of the same social status highlight the deeply ingrained prejudice within the old-money class. He subtly, and not so subtly, belittles Gatsby's attempts at sophistication, highlighting his inferior status and reinforcing his own sense of superiority. This class-based contempt is a potent ingredient in Tom's hatred.

Gatsby's Inability to Truly Integrate

Despite his wealth, Gatsby remains an outsider in Tom's world. He can buy extravagant parties and mansions, but he cannot erase his past or the stigma associated with his newfound fortune. Tom exploits this vulnerability, constantly reminding Gatsby of his lower social standing, further exacerbating the underlying class conflict. Tom leverages his inherent privilege to maintain a sense of superiority, ensuring that Gatsby never truly gains acceptance within his circle. This perpetual exclusion fuels Tom's hatred, solidifying his position at the top of the social ladder.

The Exposure of Hypocrisy and Moral Decay

Tom's hatred of Gatsby is also fueled by a sense of self-preservation and a desire to conceal his own moral failings. He is deeply aware of his own infidelity, hypocrisy, and casual cruelty, traits that he finds reflected, albeit in a less socially acceptable manner, in Gatsby. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy exposes Tom's own shortcomings, forcing him to confront the superficiality and moral decay that underlies his own privileged existence.

The Mirror Reflecting Tom's Flaws

Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of a past love mirrors Tom’s own infidelity, forcing Tom to confront the hypocrisy of his actions. While Tom’s infidelity is accepted within his social circle, Gatsby’s pursuit is seen as crass and socially unacceptable. This perceived difference allows Tom to condemn Gatsby while simultaneously ignoring his own moral failings. The difference stems from societal expectations regarding the established wealthy versus the newly rich, highlighting the biases within the system that Tom benefits from.

The Unmasking of Tom's Insecurities

Gatsby's success, despite his morally questionable past, exposes Tom’s own insecurities about his achievements. Tom's inherited wealth and social standing are challenged by Gatsby's self-made fortune, prompting a defensive reaction that manifests as intense hatred. Gatsby's success is not only a threat to Tom's social standing but also a reflection of Tom's own lack of self-made achievement. This sense of inadequacy fuels his antagonism toward Gatsby.

The Ultimate Confrontation and the Revelation of Truth

The climactic confrontation at the Plaza Hotel serves as the culmination of Tom's simmering hatred. The scene is a brutal display of power dynamics, exposing both men's flaws and insecurities. Tom's casual cruelty and disregard for human feelings, coupled with his unwavering confidence in his social dominance, are starkly contrasted with Gatsby's unwavering devotion to Daisy and his quiet desperation. This confrontation is not just a clash of personalities but a clash of ideologies, representing the ultimate struggle for power and control.

The Unraveling of Gatsby's Illusion

The confrontation reveals the tragic truth behind Gatsby's dream. He has spent years building a life based on the illusion of recapturing the past, only to be utterly crushed by the reality of Tom's power and Daisy's inherent shallowness. Tom's calculated destruction of Gatsby's meticulously constructed world stems not only from jealousy but from a need to reinforce his own social dominance and preserve the status quo.

The Triumph of Old Money and the Fall of the Outsider

Tom's victory in this confrontation is bittersweet. He has successfully destroyed Gatsby and reasserted his dominance, but his victory is built on a foundation of cruelty and hypocrisy. The destruction of Gatsby serves as a warning, reinforcing the rigid social hierarchy and the nearly impossible task of penetrating the exclusive world of the old-money elite. Tom's triumph is a testament to the enduring power of class and the devastating consequences of challenging the established order.

In conclusion, Tom Buchanan's hatred of Jay Gatsby is a multifaceted phenomenon, far more complex than simple jealousy. It stems from a potent mixture of threatened masculinity, class conflict, the exposure of hypocrisy, and a deep-seated insecurity. Tom's reaction to Gatsby isn't just about a love triangle; it's a reflection of the deep societal divisions and power struggles that defined the Jazz Age and continues to resonate in contemporary society. The hatred embodies the conflict between the old and new money, highlighting the enduring power of privilege and the devastating cost of challenging the established social order.