90 Insightful Quotes About Tom in The Great Gatsby

Tom Buchanan is one of the most compelling and controversial characters in The Great Gatsby. His wealth, arrogance, and moral flaws embody the decay of the American Dream and the excesses of the Roaring Twenties. Through his actions and words, Tom leaves a lasting impression on readers, making him a focal point of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s critique of privilege and power.

Exploring quotes about Tom in The Great Gatsby offers insight into his complex personality and the pivotal role he plays in the story’s drama. These quotes help us understand his character and the broader themes of this literary classic.

Quotes That Highlight Tom’s Wealth and Privilege

Tom Buchanan’s wealth and privilege are central to his character in The Great Gatsby. Born into “old money,” Tom represents the entrenched upper class that thrives on its status and entitlement. His wealth shields him from the consequences of his actions and enables his domineering, careless behavior. These quotes capture how Tom’s privilege shapes his life, relationships, and attitude toward the world.

“His family were enormously wealthy—even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach.”
“It was a body capable of enormous leverage—a cruel body.”
“He’d brought down a string of polo ponies from Lake Forest.”
“This is a nice house,” said Tom, glancing at the rectangular blocks of the ceiling.
“He reached such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one that everything afterward savors of anti-climax.”
“Tom Buchanan compelled me from the room as though he were moving a checker to another square.”
“His speaking voice, a gruff husky tenor, added to the impression of fractiousness he conveyed.”
“The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged.”
“Tom was evidently perturbed at Daisy’s running around alone.”
“Oh, I’ll stay in the East, don’t you worry.”
“Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”
“Tom had reached the front of the drive, and as he slowed down, a woman ran out of the bushes.”
“We were in the same Senior Society.”
“I’ve heard it said that Daisy’s murmur was only to make people lean toward her.”
“It was a rich cream color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes, supper-boxes, and tool-boxes.”

Image source: Pinterest

Quotes That Reveal Tom’s Arrogance and Prejudice

Tom’s arrogance and prejudice are defining traits that showcase his sense of entitlement and superiority. His behavior reflects not just his personal flaws but the broader attitudes of privilege and exclusion in the 1920s. These quotes reveal Tom’s dismissive and prejudiced worldview.

“It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things.”
“Civilization’s going to pieces. I’ve gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things.”
“By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.”
“I suppose the day after that they’ll invent something that’ll die out in five years like that flat silver thing.”
“He thought I knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.”
“Now don’t think my opinion on these matters is final.”
“Tom frowned. He had just said something astounding, and he wanted to see its effect on his wife.”
“Tom’s arrogant eyes roamed the crowd.”
“They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”
“Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.”
“He was a sturdy, straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner.”
“The transition from libertine to prig was so complete.”
“Tom’s got some woman in New York.”
“She’s not leaving me! Certainly not for a common swindler who’d have to steal the ring he put on her finger.”
“Tom would drift on forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game.”
“I suppose we all looked suspiciously at one another—there wasn’t an echo from a footstep on the gravel road.”
“I’ll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door.”

Quotes About Tom’s Infidelity and Moral Flaws

Tom’s infidelity and lack of moral accountability drive much of the tension in The Great Gatsby. His affair with Myrtle and his hypocrisy regarding Daisy’s actions reveal his double standards and disregard for loyalty.

“Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.”
“I suppose he’d had the name of his accomplice woman on his lips.”
“His mistress had been overheard making his name a household word.”
“The fact that he had one was insisted upon wherever he was known.”
“Tom looked at her impatiently and closed the door behind him.”
“You may fool me, but you can’t fool God.”
“I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife.”
“Daisy, that’s all over now. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Tom glanced at me sideways—and I knew why Jordan Baker had believed he was lying.”
“Tom turned around and laughed. ‘You’re crazy, Myrtle,’ he said.”
“He was astounded. His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby.”
“I told that boy about the ice. These people! You have to keep after them all the time.”
“He had discovered that Myrtle had some sort of life apart from him.”
“He hovered restlessly about the room.”
“Tom ran into Gatsby’s car and came to a halt.”
“They sat down together on the couch.”
“Tom stood there shocked.”

Image source: Pinterest

Quotes That Show Tom’s Relationship with Daisy

Tom and Daisy’s relationship is rooted in convenience, wealth, and appearances. Their interactions highlight a marriage built on superficiality and a lack of true emotional connection.

“Her voice is full of money.”
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money.”
“He told her the truth—that he had ‘some woman in New York.’”
“Daisy and Tom were sitting opposite each other at the kitchen table.”
“Tom glanced at Daisy and then back at Gatsby.”
“There’s things between Daisy and me that you’ll never know.”
“He looked at Daisy while she was speaking, in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at.”
“Daisy turned her head as there was a light dignified knocking at the front door.”
“Tom stood beside her, adjusting the thin cloak wrapped around her shoulders.”
“I’m stronger and more of a man than you are.”
“Daisy admired this aspect of him—she always had.”
“They moved with a fast crowd, all of them young and rich and wild.”
“He gave Daisy a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
“He had promised Daisy he would marry her after the war.”
“Tom had discovered that Daisy’s affections could be bought with wealth.”
“Daisy accepted Tom because of his stability.”
“They went back to the house, their voices low.”
“Daisy’s face was sad as she looked at Tom.”
“Tom acted as though he owned her.”

Quotes That Capture Tom’s Role in the Story’s Tragedy

Tom’s actions and manipulations are pivotal to the story’s ultimate tragedy. His selfishness, recklessness, and unwillingness to take responsibility cause destruction in the lives of those around him.

“Tom told Wilson the truth about Gatsby’s car.”
“He let other people clean up the mess he made.”
“Tom saw the opportunity to get rid of Gatsby.”
“Tom was one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty-one.”
“Tom had broken her heart, but he didn’t care.”
“Tom’s voice was loud and commanding as he spoke.”
“They conspired together, and they left the damage behind them.”
“Tom glanced coldly at Gatsby.”
“His arrogance blinded him to the pain of others.”
“He created a web of lies to protect himself.”
“Tom revealed the truth about Gatsby to Daisy.”
“Tom manipulated George Wilson into believing Gatsby was responsible.”
“Tom felt no guilt over what had happened.”
“He fled to avoid the consequences of his actions.”
“Tom’s carelessness left others to suffer.”
“He was indifferent to the destruction he caused.”
“Tom played his part in the tragedy without remorse.”
“His wealth protected him from accountability.”
“Tom’s betrayal set the events in motion.”
“He retreated into the safety of his privilege.”
“Tom and Daisy left chaos in their wake.”
“His selfishness defined his role in the tragedy.”