In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan's villainy stems from the privilege conferred upon him by his gender and wealth, enabling his aggressive and violent tendencies to go unchecked. Tom's villainy originates in part from the privilege that is afforded to him because of his gender and wealth. At the end of a drunken party, Tom and his mistress, Myrtle, fight over Myrtle saying Daisy’s name, when Tom responds by punching her in the nose and breaking it. Tom's aggressive and violent response reveals that he does not have to know how to peacefully resolve conflict because those in his environment will allow his behavior to go unchecked.
By punching Myrtle, Tom acted on anger and broke the nose of someone who is smaller and weaker than him, taking advantage of strength afforded by his gender by abusing someone who cannot physically defend herself against him. By hitting his mistress, Tom shows that Myrtle has no status because of her position as the “other woman.” Her working class background also puts her at a disadvantage because she has no connections to powerful people who can stand up to Tom and correct what he has done. Because of his old money status and brute strength, Tom’s villainous nature becomes a source of unchecked brutality to those who hold less power.
This incident with Tom and Myrtle reveals disturbing aspects of human nature, highlighting how power dynamics and societal structures can perpetuate violence and inequality. Tom's behavior underscores how individuals in positions of privilege often exploit their status to dominate and mistreat those who are more vulnerable. This exploitation reflects a broader tendency in human nature to abuse power when there are no checks in place, illustrating a dark side of humanity where self-interest and the desire for control can lead to the oppression and dehumanization of others. Through Tom's actions, the narrative exposes the inherent flaws and moral failings that can arise from unchecked authority and societal privilege, prompting a reflection on the need for accountability and empathy in human interactions.
