Thursday, August 22, 2013

In the second chapter F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, what does Tom bribe George Wilson with?

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, power between characters and within their relationships is the pivotal aspect of many decisions and choices. In Chapter 2, Nick is introduced to the Wilsons by Tom Buchanan. 


In this particular relationship, Tom has power over George in two separate ways. The first is personal: Tom is sleeping with Myrtle, George's wife. However, the second is societal: Tom belongs to a higher socioeconomic class than the Wilsons. Tom is able to use his money and class to manipulate the Wilsons. 


This is demonstrated in Chapter 2 when Tom bribes George with the promise of selling him his car. Tom has the power to determine whether or not George will in fact be granted opportunity; his car, which he has promised to sell to George but has never followed through with, could be resold to significantly help George's socioeconomic status. It is not simply a car that Tom bribes George with; it is the promise of hope and economic growth. 

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