Why Is Tom's Reputation Important In The Great Gatsby

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With age, people start to value things more than what they used to. The characters in the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, each have different values and goals they want to achieve throughout their life. They have an image in their head of what they want to be seen as, who they want to spend their life with, and how money is a factor in how they live. Though most people do not get to fulfill this dream of becoming exactly who they want to be, some can find ways to compromise with the lifestyle they want. Self image and reputation happens to be an idea that floats around with all of the characters. Socially, it is not accepted for a rich person to be seen talking to a poor person, the rich are only supposed to communicate with the rich. Tom has a way of getting around these rules of society to be with Myrtle, his poor mistress, but also keeps hidden away just enough when he is with her to keep his reputation safe about being a "good" …show more content…
Gatsby valued his friendship with Nick. After they formally met at one of Gatsby's parties, they started to become friends. In a way Gatsby used Nick to get to Daisy, but he also appreciated Nick's company and friendship that he offered. Gatsby also valued his relationship with Daisy when they dated five years ago, as well as when they were reunited. He valued it so greatly that everything he did in those five years was done to impress her. He threw parties hoping that she would come to one and they could reunite them. He also bought a place not far from her, and purchased everything inside with her on his mind. "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy, and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loving eyes" (91). It was like his old opinions of his possessions did not matter, and all that did were hers. Relationships seem to have a longer lasting impact on Gatsby than physical things
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