The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic American novel that captures the essence of the Roaring Twenties. Set in the decadent world of high society, the story follows the protagonist Jay Gatsby as he tries to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Throughout the novel, one character stands out for his arrogance, bigotry, and sense of entitlement – Tom Buchanan. As Daisy’s husband, Tom plays a significant role in the plot and leaves a lasting impression with his memorable quotes. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable Tom quotes from The Great Gatsby.
Read these Tom quotes from The Great Gatsby
1.
“I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife.”
2.
“Civilization’s going to pieces. I’ve gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things. Have you read ‘The Rise of the Colored Empires’ by this man Goddard?”
3.
“Nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions, and next they’ll throw everything overboard and have intermarriage between black and white.”
4.
“I’ve got a nice place here,” he said, his eyes flashing about restlessly.
5.
“I’ve got a nice woman too.”
6.
“What if I did tell him? That fellow had it coming to him. He threw dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy’s, but he was a tough one.”
7.
“I found out what your ‘drug-stores’ were.”
8.
“And what’s more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time.”
9.
“I suppose Daisy’ll call too.”
10.
“I’d never seen a girl so mad about her husband.”
11.
“By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me. They meet all kinds of crazy fish.”
12.
“An Oxford man! Like hell he is! He wears a pink suit.”
13.
“I know I’m not very popular. I don’t give big parties. I suppose you’ve got to make your house into a pigsty in order to have any friends—in the modern world.”
14.
“What do you think we’ve been doing all this time? Do you imagine I don’t realize that?”
15.
“It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things.”
16.
“I like to come,” Lucille said. “I never care what I do, so I always have a good time. When I was here last I tore my gown on a chair, and he asked me my name and address—inside of a week I got a package from Croirier’s with a new evening gown in it.”
17.
“The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved.”
18.
“I was scared, I can tell you; I’d never seen a man get killed before.”
19.
“I suppose we’ll all meet at Daisy’s.”
20.
“They’re such beautiful shirts,” she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. “It makes me sad because I’ve never seen such—such beautiful shirts before.”
Tom Buchanan’s quotes in The Great Gatsby provide insights into his character and the prevailing attitudes of the time. They showcase his arrogance, racism, and disregard for others, making him a complex and controversial figure. As readers delve into the novel, they witness the impact of Tom’s actions and beliefs on the lives of those around him. These quotes remind us of the societal norms and prejudices of the Jazz Age, adding depth and realism to Fitzgerald’s masterpiece.
