Notes

Chapter 1

"'The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be---will be utterly submerged...It's up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these races will have control of things." (13).

"The Rise of the Colored Empires" is a book Tom read that gives him his ideas. It seems that the book inculcates Tom with these white supremacist views that reflect the nature of East Egg - the more enlightened and superior class. Fitzgerald uses this to reference the dominance of whites in society and the necessity to remain on top. The book, according to Tom, has a ring of Veritas because it "has been proved by science". The undercutting remark by Daisy, "He reads deep books with long words in them.", reflects the pretentious nature of East Egg. Tom wants to believe/pretend he holds greater knowledge, but Daisy simply shows eloquence is the source of truth/fact for the wealthy.

Chapter 2

"Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face, discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. 'Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!' shouted Mrs. Wilson. 'I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai------' Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand." (37).

The characterization of Tom and his brutality and strength is expressed throughout the book, such as the time Daisy whines about her bruised knuckle from Tom. This also hints at Tom's status as part of East Egg because he and his wife are superior to Myrtle. Myrtle is only there to serve as his side-chick but Daisy is his wife from East Egg, therefore he inherently demands respect by force. Men aren't generally supposed to hit women, so the lack of morality in this instance ties it back to the Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg. His eyes represent the omniscient power that may serve as awareness of an issue (men's troubles), but can't prevent any problems from arising. Fitzgerald portrays the world as lacking guiding principles and moral authority to "reprimand" the bad conduct of the characters.