Final answer:
Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby is characterized directly through explicit descriptions of his dominating physical presence and indirectly through his actions and attitudes, which reveal his personality and prejudices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characterization of Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby
When analyzing Tom Buchanan in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, it is essential to differentiate between direct and indirect characterization. Direct characterization occurs when the author explicitly states attributes about a character, while indirect characterization is shown through the character's actions, speech, and interactions with others.
Direct characterization of Tom can be seen through Nick Carraway's observations, such as, "Two shining, arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward... you could see a great pack of muscle shifting when his shoulder moved under his thin coat." This quote directly informs the reader about Tom's physical appearance and suggests an intimidating, dominant personality.
Indirect characterization plays out through Tom's interactions and choices, serving to reveal his character traits. For instance, his affair with Myrtle and the way he treats both her and his wife, Daisy, exhibits his arrogance and sense of entitlement. The way he speaks about other races and communities also provides insight into his prejudiced worldview, further exemplified when he says, "The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be... submerged."
It's worth mentioning that in Fitzgerald's work, characterization is crafted to present the story as both unique and universal, according to The Fitzgerald Reader. Individual characters like Tom Buchanan are not designed to represent broader groups or stereotypes; instead, they encapsulate the complexities of individual experience during the Jazz Age.