Tom Buchanan and Curley
Two Peas in a Privileged Pod
More in Common Than You Think?
Power Play
No Struggle=No Strength
In The Great Gatsby, the ideals of discrimination were put into the spotlight by Tom Buchanan. “It’s up to us (white people), who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things.” (Page 19) Tom continues to talk about a book that discusses coloured empires, showcasing the idea that other races will rise up and dominate the white race. In the 1920’s racism was common, and other races were looked down upon. In the books, there is not a time where Tom or Curley are looked down upon in a discriminatory way. These men both obviously do not suffer from oppression. The time they live in is welcoming to the oppression of those who are different from you. Both men are given another privilege that is not materialistic, but idealistic.
Ignorance is Bliss
Curley, the son of the ranch owner, and Tom, the recipient of the family fortune, have many things in common. These men have not had struggles in their lives, and this makes them oblivious to the struggles of the characters who are suffering from discrimination. Their blindness to how others feel unites these two characters in their arrogance and uncaring ways that stem from the overwhelming advantages that they possess.