Introduction to Two Contrasting Characters
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” two characters stand out starkly against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties: George Wilson and Tom Buchanan. Although both men are intertwined in the narrative through their relationships with Daisy Buchanan, they represent vastly different aspects of society and human nature. While Tom is a wealthy, arrogant figure who embodies privilege and entitlement, George is a struggling mechanic who epitomizes despair and hopelessness. This essay will explore their contrasting personalities, social standings, moral compasses, and ultimately the tragic fates that befall them.
Social Status and Wealth
The most evident difference between George Wilson and Tom Buchanan lies in their social status. Tom comes from an old money family; he embodies the wealth that defines his character and actions throughout the novel. He lives in a grand mansion on Long Island, surrounded by opulence that signifies his power and influence. His lifestyle reflects a sense of superiority, as he looks down upon those he considers beneath him.
On the other hand, George Wilson represents the working class struggling to make ends meet in 1920s America. He owns a small garage in the desolate area known as “the Valley of Ashes,” which serves as a symbol of industrial decay and poverty. Unlike Tom’s lavish lifestyle filled with extravagant parties and luxurious cars, George’s existence is marked by hardship—he cannot even afford to maintain his own car properly. This contrast not only highlights their different economic situations but also sets up an examination of how wealth influences behavior and morality.
Personality Traits: Arrogance vs. Humility
When we dig deeper into their personalities, we see further differences that define who they are at their cores. Tom Buchanan’s arrogance is one of his defining traits; he has an air of superiority that stems from both his wealth and his social status. He often uses derogatory language towards others, reflecting his belief in racial superiority—something very much aligned with his privileged upbringing. This elitism makes him ruthless; he engages in infidelity without remorse while simultaneously expecting loyalty from others.
In stark contrast, George Wilson displays humility despite facing numerous adversities in life. His demeanor reflects desperation more than arrogance; he is depicted as a man deeply affected by grief following Myrtle’s death—his wife who was killed by Gatsby’s car but whose affair with Tom had also contributed to her demise. Unlike Tom’s aggressive posturing to assert dominance over others, George embodies fragility—a man broken by circumstances beyond his control.
Moral Compass: Right vs. Wrong
Moral values further accentuate these contrasting characters in “The Great Gatsby.” Tom operates within a framework where might equals right; he feels entitled to take what he wants without considering its impact on others’ lives—just look at how carelessly he treats both Myrtle and Daisy throughout the narrative! In many ways, he’s representative of a morally bankrupt upper class that prioritizes self-interest above all else.
George Wilson’s moral compass points toward honesty despite life’s tribulations pushing him toward darkness—the purity of love for Myrtle drives him through pain after her death; it illustrates how deeply personal loss can shape our ethical perspectives when faced with unthinkable tragedy. His sorrow evokes sympathy rather than disdain from readers because it’s rooted not merely in selfish desires but genuine affection for someone lost too soon.
The Tragic Fates They Encounter
The tragic outcomes faced by both characters tie back into these societal contrasts—and yet underscore similar themes regarding fate within Fitzgerald’s work itself! By novel’s end—with Tom escaping any real consequence for orchestrating Myrtle’s death while poor George takes responsibility for misdirected rage toward Gatsby—it becomes painfully clear how class disparities play out dramatically through consequences meted out differently based purely on social standings!
This disparity not only evokes pity towards George but also contempt toward figures like Tom whose privilege shields them from accountability! In essence—even though they inhabit separate worlds—they share commonality wherein tragedy arises inevitably regardless—or perhaps because—of how they each interact within this larger tapestry woven throughout “The Great Gatsby.” Ultimately leading us down paths fraught with despair highlighting flawed humanity tangled amidst socio-economic divides inherent across eras!
Conclusion: A Reflection on Society
The juxtaposition between George Wilson and Tom Buchanan offers profound insight into Fitzgerald’s critique of American society during the Jazz Age—a time defined by excessiveness where dreams collide tragically against harsh realities shaped largely via class distinctions! While one seeks solace amidst destruction—the other revels unabashedly beneath gilded veneer—a stark reminder resonating across generations about human nature itself entwined closely around socio-economic divides prevalent ever still today!
References
- Fitzgerald, F.S., The Great Gatsby.
- Baker, Carlos (1971), “Fitzgerald: The Man & His Work”. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
- Miller, James E., Jr., (1990), “The New Cambridge Companion to F.Scott Fitzgerald”. Cambridge University Press.
- Bruccoli, Matthew J., (1996), “Some Sort of Epic Grandeur: The Life of F.Scott Fitzgerald”. University of South Carolina Press.
