The Great Gatsby Self-Made Analysis

Gatsby was a man that represented everything Nick hatred. He lied, cheated, and stole from people throughout the book. Yet, he is only man exempt from Nick’s harsh scorn. Gatsby is a self-made, idealistic, opportunist, and the embodiment of the American Dream.

Gatsby was a self-made man, that went from rags to riches to acquire his wealth.
“There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars. At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound, drawing aquaplanes over cataracts
CD: This also shows how much of Gatsby’s self-made wealth is a such a spectacle, to everyone else in their money driven society.
Gatsby went from rags to riches to acquire his wealth, which made him a self-made man.

Gatsby was the embodiment of the American Dream.
“But I didn’t call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone — he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward — and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock.” (p.20-21)
CD: This quote shows the idea that Gatsby is always reaching towards something almost out of reach even though he keeps trying to attain it.
CD: This also shows Gatsby is dreamer always striving for goal greater than himself.
The American Dream was the embodiment of
If that was true he must have felt that he had lost the old warm world, paid a high price for living too long with a single dream. He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass.” (p.161)
CD: This quote shows how strong Gatsby’s ideals of Daisy, that had him waiting for a phone call for hours that never came.
CD: This even shows how Gatsby’s idealistic views may even kill him one day.
An idealistic man was the definition of Gatsby.

Gatsby was an opportunist.
“Oh, I’ve been in several things,” he corrected himself. “I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business.” ( P.90)
CD: This quote shows how Gatsby takes advantage of any situation no matter what line of work it is.
CD: This also shows Gatsby doesn’t mind getting his hands a little dirty to put him ahead of everyone.
An opportunist was the embodiment of Gatsby’s being.

Gatsby was a man self-made, idealistic, opportunist, and is the embodiment of the American Dream. Even though he lied, cheated, and stole from people. He was still one of the greatest men Nick has ever known. That is why he is the only man exempt from Nick’s harsh