How Did Dan Cody Influence The Great Gatsby

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby,” the subtle Dan Cody provides Gatsby with a chance to become the Great Gatsby. Cody’s ability to see within Gatsby guided him to help Gatsby to achieve a higher success than he otherwise would have. This contribution drastically alters the action, the theme, and the development of the other characters along with Gatsby than what would have otherwise occurred. The occurring actions in “The Great Gatsby” started with one gentle nudge by Cody when he offered Gatsby a chance to work for him. This can be seen as the beginning of Gatsby’s rise to fame and the subsequent actions that follow. Gatsby, had he never met Cody, would have been left a poor man striving to gain the glorious high status that would allow him to have Daisy, who would be left with her unfaithful husband, Tom. Nick would have only seen the outward pleasure of living in East Egg and Gatsby himself would never have any other hope than to be anything more than a homeless veteran. As the readers can see, Dan Cody influenced many lives with the simple act of employing Gatsby. …show more content…

When Gatsby first meets Cody, he is a teenager who is finding out the stark differences between the wealthy and the poor. This is the exact moment when Cody changes the theme by inviting the young Gatsby to sail with him. Gatsby’s character develops while on this trip because he is awed and appalled by the wealthy Cody. Gatsby refuses to drink because of Cody’s alcoholism but he is enthused by the wealth Cody attempts to leave him. These actions change the theme from striving for wealth to dealing with