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How Is Jay Gatsby Successful

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Many people desire to be great, being given a title that demonstrates their achievements and respectable characteristics. Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a charismatic person with a great amount of financial success originating from humble beginnings. After deployment in World War One, Gatsby is separated from the love of his life, Daisy. In his eyes, financial success is the only way to bring Daisy back into his life. Gatsby becomes the acquaintance of elitist Dan Cody, who takes Gatsby along for adventures, and after his death leaves Gatsby his money. After losing the inheritance to Cody’s wife, Gatsby thrives on the rich lifestyle and turns to bootlegging to create his own riches. With this money, Gatsby regularly …show more content…

Gatsby experiences the luxuries of riches and fortune when aboard a global yacht trip with the copper mogul, Dan Cody. After Cody’s passing inheritance meant for Gatsby was stripped away as the twenty-five thousand dollars, “He didn’t get… He was left with the singularly appropriate education” (Fitzgerald 100-101). This brief opportunity at riches and an easy life vanishes, leaving nothing but some prior experience that helps to drive his want for greatness and success. Gatsby’s fortune was made in hopes of attracting and reuniting with his old flame, Daisy Buchanan. The young Gatsby admired her lifestyle, he felt that “her voice was full of money” (Fitzgerald 120). Gatsby demonstrates his appeal to Daisy, he loves her social position, popularity, and wealth, which he aspires to have. Daisy’s financial strength is something that pushes Gatsby to obtain his own luxurious lifestyle; his determination and success created by Daisy promote his greatness Gatsby’s swift reach to success is an impressive feat, as he climbed the social ladder in a few years. His wealth, which is said to be a product of family inheritance, is a lie uncovered by Tom. It is instead generated from over-the-counter bootlegging of alcohol, along with illegal gambling. Regardless of the questionable acts done by Gatsby, his swift increase in wealth to achieve his morally innocent dream is …show more content…

Gatsby’s first few interactions with Nick Carroway display nothing but a welcoming and kindness. Accepting an invitation to Gatsby's party, Nick introduces himself and Gatsby gives him a warm welcome inviting him onto his hydroplane. From the start, Gatsby unveils himself as a welcoming neighbor, including others in his life. Shortly after Nick offers to invite Daisy over for tea, Gatsby is urgent to please Nick and return the favor. Listing off gifts such as visiting Coney Island Gatsby mentions he “want(s) to get the grass cut” as a gesture to repay Nick. Gatsby’s generosity and insistence on repaying Nick display the unique qualities that make him great. While on the way back from New York City, Daisy strikes Tom's secret lover, Myrtle, while driving in Gatsby's car. In order to protect the love of his life, when Nick asks if Daisy was driving the response is ““Yes” he said after a moment, “but of course, I’ll say I was”” (Fitzgerald 143). Gatsby once again puts others before himself, as he is willing to sacrifice everything in order to protect his old flame. This act of love displayed by Gatsby is a daring one that truly shows how his personality makes him so great. Gatsby’s charming personality, kind gestures, and willingness to help out others prove that he truly is

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