In Chapter 1, Nick describes Tom Buchanan as a “sturdy straw-haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner.” He goes on to say that he has “two shining arrogant eyes” which he uses to “establish dominance over his face.” Nick also describes Tom’s voice as “gruff and his eyes were cold but he had an unmistakable air of command.”
Tom’s character is further developed when Nick tells us that Tom was born into prosperity and privilege, which has made him into the man we meet in Chapter 1—a self-absorbed man who does not care about other people’s feelings or thoughts. We also learn that Tom was raised in an atmosphere of unquestioning obedience to the idea of the superior man, which has led him to believe that it is his birthright to command others.
Nick then goes on to describe Tom’s conscience: “Tom Buchanan’s conscience was a dead, blackened thing.”
