Is there really a “self-made” person? Can someone actually create an illusion of success all by themselves by the age of 10? Famous sports team owner George Shinn once said “There is no such thing as a self-made man. You will reach your goals only with the help of others.” In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald creates a “self-made man” Jay Gatsby. Can someone really be successful on their own?
Jay Gatsby was a man who supposedly created his own success, but did he really? When Jay Gatsby was still established as James Gatz, he lived in a worn down place, with no money, and the mere dream to become someone his parents weren’t. “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people -- his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all,” (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby wanted to become “a son of God,” (Fitzgerald 98). Which is what he ultimately became. He had a castle-like mansion that
Carney 2 would stand out above all the other tedious houses. He would invite tons of random people every week for parties, and they would taint his house, but he wouldn’t care. He had all the money he needed. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he did it by himself.
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A 17 year old Jay Gatz ran away from home and found out that it was merely impossible. Until he met Dan Cody, an old retired millionaire. “... When he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on Lake Superior. It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach the afternoon … [who] informed Cody that a wind might catch him and break him up in half an hour,” (Fitzgerald 98). Cody basically took young James Gatz under his wing and transformed him into Jay Gatsby. Dan Cody taught Gatsby how even your wallet is empty, with the right appearance, and etiquette you can convince anyone you are someone you’re not. After Dan’s death, and his fortune going to his mistress, Gatsby had no money but he wasn’t