The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tom's role in the novel is ultimately the antagonist. Everything Gatsby wants is destroyed by Tom's mere presence. His "jealous husband" act keeps Daisy from fulfilling her desires and his bullying personality stops his wife Daisy and his mistress Myrtle from reaching their full potential. His standards for everyone else are lowered for himself as he evaluates his actions. His entirely self-absorbed demeanor is viewed as unapproachable and unattractive, but his money allows much of this to be looked over by business associates and women who place the value of the dollar over integrity. Tom's fear of Gatsby only allows him another arena in which to exert his power. Daisy, wanting so much to leave him, still crumbles under his invisible hold and ends up staying with her abusive and oppressive husband. He is the classic bully who pulls on people's weaknesses by exerting himself as super self-confident and in charge. Intimidation is his primary tool for keeping people under his control and so far, his reign has not been threatened by the society he is in.
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