Tom Buchanan, the Great American Scoundrel In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tom Buchanan is the classic representation of an American scoundrel in the 1920 's. Tom 's role is of the wealthy, powerful, controlling, and unfaithful husband to Daisy Buchanan. Tom is of the privileged class, and he is proud of his old money, of where he lives, and his white race. Fitzgerald characterizes Tom as a manipulator, this being the worst of his qualities. Tom is a scoundrel, and no sliver of empathy can be given to Tom, due to his reckless behavior. Tom 's behavior affects everyone around him as a result two people die. Myrtle is murdered by his wife Daisy and Gatsby is murdered by George Myrtle 's husband. Both deaths could have been avoided if Tom was more of a man and less of a scoundrel. Big, powerful is the idiosyncrasy that Fitzgerald uses to describe Tom: " Not even the effeminate swank of his riding clothes could hide the enormous power of that body-He seemed to fill those glistening boots until he strained the top lacing, and you could see a great pack of muscles shifting when his shoulders moved under his thin coat" (Fitzgerald pg. 7). Tom believes himself of great stature in the physical and mental as well. Demeaning, is the manner that Tom speaks to Nick: " Now don’t think of my opinion on these matters is final, just because I am stronger and more of a man, then you are." (pg. 7) Tom recognizes he is strong and does not