What Was Jay Gatsby’s Real Name & Background?
James Gatz is the real name of Jay Gatsby. He was the son of a meager North Dakotan farmer. Gatsby (or Gatz, to be precise) was not, as he claimed, a native of San Francisco. It is true that he attended St. Olaf’s College. He left school, nevertheless, after two years because he wanted to become famous.
One of the most well-known and cherished works of American fiction is arguably The Great Gatsby. It has served as a touchstone for many generations of imaginative readers and is regarded as a classic. Four affluent persons’ lifestyles are followed in the narrative. Nick Carraway, a friend of theirs, tells the story of their antics. Yet, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan’s tragic love story serves as the novel’s main theme. Jay’s goal in organizing extravagant events is to catch Daisy’s eye. Jay continues to pursue his original love, Daisy, despite the fact that she is married and has children with another man.
With skill, Jay Gatsby has created a new persona for himself. He asserts that he comes from a prosperous San Francisco family. He also affirms to everyone that he attended Oxford University. Gatsby invites Nick to lunch in New York in chapter 4, where he shares fresh information about “his” past. He admits to have been in the army during World War I to Nick.
Later on in the narrative, Jay’s early history is made clear. Readers learn that James Gatz is Jay’s full name. At the age of seventeen, Jay makes the decision to alter it. Also, Gatsby is from North Dakota rather than San Francisco.
His father was not a rich business tycoon but a meager farmer. Nick learns how Gatsby picked up the manners of the wealthy and powerful in chapter 6. He observed Dan Cody, his previous employer, to do this. When Gatsby protected him from a storm, Dan, a wealthy mining prospector, decided to hire Jay.
The true story of Jay’s life takes a few unexpected turns. Jay enlists in the military following the passing of Cody.
Before being sent to serve in Europe, he encounters Daisy in Louisville. With his uniform on, there is no way anyone could guess that he is a wealthy man. Gatsby’s manners lead Daisy to believe that he belongs to the same socioeconomic class as her. Daisy was fortunate from birth. Even Jay says she has a voice “full of money.” For the sake of romance, he chooses to maintain the façade. Daisy swears she’ll be there to see Gatsby when he returns from battle.
Due to his achievements, Gatsby received an officer rank while serving in the war. He then makes the decision to enroll in Oxford via a program for officers. That only lasts for five months though. When he gets back to America, Daisy is already Daisy Buchanan. Jay makes the decision to use every effort to get her back. Meyer Wolfsheim serves as a conduit for Gatsby’s illicit dealings. Later, in an effort to catch Daisy’s eye, he purchases a mansion in West Egg, a Rolls Royce, and hosts lavish parties. Through Nick Carraway’s eyes, that is how readers first get to know Gatsby.
