In Francis Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" (1925), Tom calls Nick "Nordic" during their first encounter in the book. Tom says "The idea is that we're Nordics. I am, and you are and you are and----"
He calls Nick Nordic because he has been reading a book called "The Rise of the Coloured Empires" by a man named Goddard. This book deals with the idea that White people are supposed to be the dominant race who brought civilization and the book also warns that if White people do not watch out, other races will become dominant and "control things".
Nick feels very displeased with Tom. He finds Tom an unpleasant, not intelligent, strong and aggressive man that bullies his wife and others. Nick also finds something pathetic in his concentration and in taking seriously a book so ludicrous while also failing to keep the train of thought while trying to explain the book to Nick.
Tom calls Nick Shakespeare referring to the time they spent in college together at Yale when Nick wanted to become an author like Shakespeare. Nick feels that he has moved on from that dream.
