Great Gatsby - Motif

' "That's a great expression of yours, isn't it?" said Tom sharply.
"What is?"
"All this 'old sport' business. Where'd you pick that up?" ' (Page 127)

I must say, I was a bit relieved when Tom finally called Gatsby out on all of his "old sport"-ing. I was getting frustrated with it, and I wasn't even speaking to him! I noticed that this particular motif of Gatsby's occurs almost every time he speaks. It isn't confined to when he is angry or when he is being pleasant. It's just his thing. I guess I can understand that, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. It almost feels like a defense mechanism, though. It's Gatsby's way of ensuring that the listener won't think he is being rude or mean. It invites camaraderie and confidence. It actually almost makes him sound paternal, like a father patting his son on the back after a baseball game. Classic. Amurrican.

 I can practically hear this guy saying, "Good job, sport."