Chapter 1: The Ideology of Tom Buchanan

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, there is a pivotal moment where Tom Buchanan—an embodiment of American aristocracy—articulates a nascent version of what has come to be known as The Great Replacement theory. This theory posits that a conspiracy exists among global elites to replace white Europeans through mass migrations, particularly from predominantly Muslim regions in the Middle East and Africa. The term "The Great Replacement" gained traction through the writings of far-right French philosopher Renaud Camus in his 2011 work, Le Grand Remplacement. However, the roots of this concept stretch back much further. In 1916, for example, Madison Grant released The Passing of the Great Race, a pseudo-scientific text that rationalized white supremacy, which Adolf Hitler famously referred to as his "bible." This work, alongside Lothrop Stoddard’s The Rising Tide of Color: The Threat Against White World-Supremacy (1920), which Grant prefaced, serves as a modern foundation for Great Replacement ideology.

Tom Buchanan, in a confused reference to Stoddard’s work, questions Nick Carraway about whether he has read "The Rise of the Coloured Empires" by Goddard:

‘Civilization’s going to pieces,’ he erupted passionately. ‘I’ve grown to be quite a pessimist about everything. Have you read ‘The Rise of the Coloured Empires’ by this man Goddard?’

‘No,’ I responded, taken aback by his tone.

‘Well, it’s an excellent book, and everyone ought to read it. The premise is that if we don’t pay attention, the white race will be—will be completely submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been demonstrated […] This idea suggests we’re Nordics. I am, and you are, and you are and—’ After a brief pause, he included Daisy with a slight nod, and she winked at me again. ‘—and we’ve created all the elements that constitute civilization—oh, science and art and all that. Do you get it?’

The character of Tom Buchanan, portrayed by Joel Edgerton in the 2013 adaptation, serves as a vehicle for Fitzgerald to critique the typical reader of Grant and Stoddard. Buchanan’s misremembering of both the author and the title, coupled with his flawed summary, highlights Fitzgerald’s intent. Through Buchanan, Fitzgerald effectively critiques the flawed notion that the "Nordic race" is superior in both intellect and physicality, as proposed by Grant and Stoddard. Their argument claims that the Nordic bloodline is a reliable indicator of a nation’s military strength and cultural prominence. They assert that the harsh environmental conditions of Northern Europe act as a selective force, leading to a:

rigid elimination of defectives through the agency of harsh winters and the necessity of industry and foresight in preparing for the year’s food, clothing, and shelter during the brief summer. Such rigorous demands, if sustained over time, would yi