Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

The responsibilities in Tom’s life are “starting to boil inside” (1409; 120). He has a strong hatred towards his job in a shoe warehouse and explains, “I’d rather somebody picked up a crowbar and battered out my brains—than go back…” (1391; 34). Tom reveals to Amanda what he thinks before going to work, “How lucky dead people are!” (1391; 34). Jim even admits that Tom is “not the warehouse type” (1408; 84). Due to the fact his family is incapable of working, he is forces him to keep a job that kills his sanity. Tom lives in a house that he “pays rent on” and “makes a slave of himself to” (1390; 17). His family is the sole reasons of his sufferings because he has not the heart to leave them yet. Amanda knows without Tom they would not

Jeopardize the security of us all? How do you think we’d manage…” (1391; 33). She repetitively tells him how he is “selfish” (1397; 95) because she knows his desire to leave. However, Tom explains to her, “…if self is what I thought of, Mother, I’d be where he is—GONE!” (1391; 34). Further in the story, Amanda makes a deal with Tom that would free him of his burdens. She bargains he can only leave when “…Laura has got somebody to take care of her, married, a home of her own, independent…[b]ut until that you’ve got to look out for your sister” (1397; 93). Tom believes his father is the answer by referring to his absence in a yearning way. In a conversation with Jim, he remarks, “I’m like my father. The bastard son of a bastard! Did you notice how he’s grinning in his picture in there? And he’s been absent going on sixteen

He often evades situations by “crying smoker”. When Amanda begins to harp on Tom, he will abruptly rise and utter, “I’m getting a cigarette” (1383; 9). In the beginning, the first thing he notes is, “…I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion” (1382; 1). Throughout the drama, Tom tells Amanda where he goes, but always seems an “illusion” to her being the tragedy of his character. He is mentioned going “to the movies” (1396; 68) several times before it is revealed why. Finally, Amanda asks his reason and Tom reveals, “I like a lot of adventure” (1396; 70). With knowing his aspirations, the reader begins to understand and connect with this troublesome character. One night Tom comes home late to stumble upon Laura, and tells her about the films he saw with such delight. He acts with joy for the first time because of his love for “adventure”. By the end of the story, Tom is restless and explains to Jim O’Connor, “People go to the movies instead of moving! . . .until there’s a war. That’s when adventure becomes available to the masses! . . . But I’m not patient. I don’t want to wait till then. I’m tired of the movies and I am about to move!” (1409;