The Jay Gatsby we are presented with in the beginning of the novel is elusive: an elegant, extremely wealthy young man who holds highly extravagant parties. But, as we learn later, it took a great deal of work to formulate this interesting man. James Gatz learns to shape his character at an early stage in order to finally become his high-society antithesis. In a daily schedule he wrote when he was young, he includes such spaces in his day to “practice elocution, poise and how to attain it” as well as general resolves like, “read one improving book or magazine per week.”(p.164). Gatsby’s speech is painstakingly wrought to be highly elegant and representative of the upper class. Nick remarks the

Gatsby does not perfect the formulation of his character, and has to be careful lest he accidentally err on some aspect. For example, Nick asks him what line of business he is in, and, as Nick continues, “…he answered: ‘That’s my affair,’ before he realised that it wasn’t an appropriate reply.” (p. 87). The true Jay Gatsby is a restless, insecure man. Nick remarks, “He was never quite still; there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand.” (p. 63). His insecurity stems from the fact that he is not comfortable with who he is and has to invent another identity for himself. Gatsby is very proud of his wealth and what he has built himself up to be. He enjoys laying out his possessions for all to praise and marvel at. When Gatsby is showing Daisy around his house, he pulls out expensive shirts from his closets for his guests to admire. He continually looks for validation of his splendour, asking questions like, “My house looks well, doesn’t it?” (p. 87). But Gatsby has acquired all his impressive wealth through deceitful, unlawful ways. He becomes very corrupted and deals with people such as Meyer Wolfshiem, who fixed the World Series in 1919.

Lastly, Gatsby sees to it that he acquires the defining element separating the lower and upper classes: money, and gross amounts of it. Gatsby gets involved in some shady business that ultimately makes him very wealthy in a short period of time. Gatsby must also present and display his wealth in order for him to be recognised as part of this new ‘crowd’. One way he does this is by buying impressive possessions like his enormous mansion, full of countless, unnecessary rooms. Gatsby compensates for this by flaunting his status in another way: holding lavish parties that draw the rich and famous to his home. He acknowledges this with a certain amount of pride: “I keep [my house] always full of…People who do interesting things. Celebrated people.” (p.87). Thus, James Gatz disappears and the incarnation o

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