The Great Gatsby In the story of Great Gatsby there are many diverse individuals which make themselves heard in the book. Tom Buchanan is the one character that the reader loves to hate. He represents the materialistic views in and around the Jazz era. The question at hand is to consider the character and role of Tom Buchanan in the story. How is the reader meant to respond to this character. To answer the question Tom must be broken down and investigated in an in-depth manner. The era the action takes place in is known as the Jazz era. It is well known as a very superficial time period. Tom is known as a very superficial char