Tom Buchanan

Tom Buchanan is clearly one of the most despicable characters in the book from the beginning to the end. It is expressed openly how his physical stature and rough voice make him of the most intimidating men involved in The Great Gatsby. “His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed.” His physical appearance gives off an unmistakable arrogant facade. “Her husband, among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven-a national figure in a way, one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anticlimax.” Nick notes how Tom expressed his racism multiple times when they were together. It is also brought to attention that he is cheating on Daisy. “‘Why-’ she said hesitantly, ‘Tom’s got some woman in New York.’” This is another despicable action that Tom executes. The fact that he is having an affair with another woman is not only disrespectful to Daisy, it is disrespectful to Myrtle. He is just using Myrtle on the side to get what he desires. Any decent human being would have a conscious and feel a sense of guilt, but Tom does not. After Myrtle is killed, Tom throws Gatsby under the bus, and tells Wilson that it was Gatsby’s car that killed Myrtle. Tom has the audacity to accuse Gatsby of such a thing, while Tom feels no sense of shame while talking to the husband of the woman he has been having an affair with.