Gatsby lives an illusion that his wealth will lead to satisfaction and friendship. Gatsby has people all around him, going to his parties, yet no one truly knows him. Born a poor man and son of a farmer, James Gatz desires living the "American dream". Because of this dream, he creates a false Identity, Jay Gatsby, "So he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen year old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end"(104). He wastes his life trying to impress other people with material success. Gatsby is the type of person to do anything to get happiness even if it is the false kind. Jay Gatsby is man who will have it all and believes Daisy, an image of money and happiness, is a perfect fit.
Daisy presents a false personality to others in hopes they will believe she is happy. When Nick mentions his and Daisy's hometown, she cries " How gorgeous! Let's go back, Tom, tomorrow!" "You ought to see the baby" (14). The way she exaggerates everything and bounces from one subject to the next exposes her phony attitude. Nick's recognizes Daisy and Tom's faults as he states, "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy -- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together" (188). Like Daisy, Tom only cares about himself. Tom's relationships demonstrate his careless with feelings.