Jake Gates: The Enigmatic Rise of a Cryptocurrency Tycoon
School
St Robert Catholic High School**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ENG 4U
Subject
Arts & Humanities
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
11
Uploaded by AdmiralMosquito2290
Task A Step 1Personality:Jake Gates is a cryptocurrency tycoon and enigmatic entrepreneur. Just like Gatsby, he’s charismatic and driven but still has an intense longing for the life he’s created to feel complete. He has a charm and his carefully crafted persona makes him the center of attention, yet there's a mysterious undertone to his character that keeps people guessing.-As a visionary self-made millionaire, Jake is admired for his brilliance and success. He has polished manners and his refined tastes show an image sophistication, however, beneath the surface, he’s grappling on with a longing to win back the love of his life.Backstory summary:Jake grew up in a modest, working-class family in a small Midwestern town. Jake, being ambitious and idealistic, dreamed of escaping his humble roots and having a life of grandeur. His first taste of success came when he stumbled upon cryptocurrency, he claims to have invested a small sum that was inherited from his family.In truth, Jake’s wealth stems from a mix of legitimate and shady ventures. Jake capitalized on the unmonitored nature of the cryptocurrency market. He orchestrated many pump-and-dump schemes and launched flashy but fraudulent ICOs. To the world, he was a genius who foresaw the rise of blockchain technology. However, in reality his empire is built on lies and calculated risks.
Current Life:Jake resides in a flashy waterfront mansion on Crystal Bay, where he leads an extravagant lifestyle, hosting legendary parties and conferences. He is known for hosting high-profile events that many celebrities attend, which he uses to gain connections and maintain his influence. Despite his wealth and status, Jake’s true goal remains unfulfilled. He wants to rekindle hi relationship with Daisy, a high-profile influencer and socialite. Everything he does is to prove his worth to Daisy.Theme of the American Dream:In the 1920s, the focus of the American dream was about achieving a life of material abundance and social prestige. The definition of “making it” often meant achieving traditional markers of status, such as family inheritance or marrying into wealth. On the other hand, the modern American dream focuses less on inheritance, rather, creating a unique path to success. Success is redefined where it is more associated with entrepreneurship, the social impact on others and their freedom, achieving financial independence.This is why Jake’s rise as a cryptocurrency tycoon with minimal inheritance mirrors the modern American dream of starting from nothing and building a life of independence and influence. Despite achieving this wealth and success, Jake’s longing for Daisy reveals that success alone cannot fulfill all our needs, which resembles the disillusionment of both the modern and 1920s American dream.
Task A Step 2Full Backstory:Jake Gates wasn’t always the man who graces magazine covers or features in famous tech conferences. Born Jack Garrison in a small, unremarkable Midwestern town, he grew up under large factories and farmland. His parents worked hard, but never brought home much, which instilled a hunger in him for something more. As a boy, Gates would often stare off into the horizon, dreaming of skyscrapers and city lights. At seventeen, Jake ran away from home, chasing an opportunity he barely understood. Trying everything he could to get rich, he eventually ran into Victor Cole, a cryptocurrency pioneer known for his lavish lifestyle. Victor took Gates under his wing, teaching him about the inner workings of crypto markets and the high stakes world of financial trading. For years, Gates worked with Victor, absorbing everything he could about risk, wealth and how to act like a rich man. He dreamed of inheriting Victor’s company one day, however, a sudden car accident caused the inheritance to go to someone else.This event was the last straw to Gates. He returned to his small inheritance–a small sum left by his late parents–he built a story around it. He claimed that it was his foundation for success, a seed that bloomed into a series of brilliant cryptocurrency investments. However, the truth was far less glamorous, Gates took what Victor had taught him to orchestrate many pump-and-dump schemes as well as launch many fraudulent schemes. He manipulated the unregulated market to create an empire under his name.Now, Jake Gates is a name synonymous with success. He is featured in the covers of TIME magazines, paid to show up in tech conferences and lives in a massive waterfront mansion on Long Island. He hosts extravagant outings that attract the city's elites and organizes a social
media presence that just screams luxury and influence. He is deeply invested in his public image, from his tailored suits to his Instagram feed of exotic vacations, luxury cars and charitable donations. His polished manners and demeanors allow him to blend into the wealthy society, even as he conceals the truth about his past.Gates claims he studied at the National University of Singapore, a school highly regarded for their impeccable blockchain courses. He positions himself as a visionary who revolutionized blockchain technology. His interests include collecting rare NFTs, hosting exclusive galas and attending elite tech summits, which are all carefully selected to elevate his status and maintain his image. However, behind the charm and sophistication lies a man plagued by the fear of exposure and the nagging emptiness of his success.But for all of his wealth and power, Gates' drive was never about the money, it was about Daisy, the woman who once told him he’d never be enough. For her, he reinvented himself, leaving James Garrison behind. And for her, he’ll continue building his empire, no matter how fragile his foundation is. He struggles with the gap between the person he is and the person he pretends to be. His wealth doesn’t fulfill him, as he still feels unworthy of Daisy
Task B Step 1Song:I chose the song “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic because the lyrics reflect Jake Gates’ personal ambition. They show Gates’ relentless pursuit of success and his dreams of achieving something greater. Intro:“Lately, I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep / Dreaming about the things that we could be.”-Reflects Jake’s restless ambition and his constant dreaming of a life with Daisy, that are just out of reachOutro:“Take that money, watch it burn / Sink in the river, the lessons I learned / Everything that kills me makes me feel alive.”-Reflects Jake’s realization that wealth and status aren’t equal to true fulfillment. “Everything that kills me makes me feel alive” ties into Jake’s acknowledgement that his sacrifices and ambition were essential to his identity.Task B Step 2Script:If they ever learn of the truth–if the world ever sees Jake Gates for who he really is–then let this be my testament, not one of those stories the media would spin up to sell papers. Because the world loves its self-made success stories, doesn’t it? They see the mansions, the cars, the parties and they think, “Here’s a man who’s made it.” But they never really ask what it costs to get here.
They believe I started with a small inheritance. A modest beginning, just enough to plant the seed for the empire that I’ve built. It’s a good idea, it’s clean and inspiring, easy to digest. The truth? Well it's far messier. There was no magic seed, there was no flawless ascension. There was risk, deception and a willingness to do what others wouldn’t. I didn’t just play the game; I rewrote the rules.(look at whisky but don't touch it)I wasn’t always Jake Gates. I was born James Garrison to a Midwestern family, in a place no one remembers. My parents worked hard, harder than anyone should have to, and still they brought nothing home. I used to watch them come home from their shifts at the factory, their hands blistered, their shoulders slumped and I swore to myself that I’d never live like that. At seventeen, I left it all behind, no goodbye, no looking back. Just the clothes on my back and a dream as big as the skyline I’d seen in the magazines.Victor Cole taught me everything I know–to see an opportunity before anyone else. To act like you’ve already won, like a rich man, even when you’re one step from losing it all. He gave me the tools, the company to build a fortune, but when it came time for him to pass the torch, he didn’t hand it to me. That inheritance, the company that I worked so hard for, it slipped right through my fingers. And just like that, James Garrison had to be gone so Jake Gates could be born.With a small inheritance from my parents’ passing–a story I tell so often that even I almost believe it–I crafted a new life. I invested, or so they think. But the truth is, I took what Victor taught me. I orchestrated pump and dump schemes, fraudulent start ups, and manipulated the unregulated world of crypto–it wasn't clean, but it worked. And now? Now they see my
mansion on Long Island, the black tie galas, the headlines on TIME magazines, and they believe it.They look at my parties, they look at my tailored suits, the magazine covers, and they see a man who’s made it. And in a way, they're not wrong. I created this. I built Jake Gates from the ground up, and every single headline, every handshake, every whisper of admiration reminds me that I’ve succeeded. But really it's all a performance, a carefully crafted image designed to tell everyone what they wanted to hear: that anyone could prosper if they worked hard enough. And they buy it. To them, I'm the epitome of achievement: polished, powerful, untouchable. They don't see the cracks beneath the surface, the fear of being exposed. They see only what I want them to see–a man who belongs. And maybe that's enough, maybe their belief is what keeps the illusion alive. No one wants to hear about the fraud, the sleepless nights and the fear that one wrong move could end it all. And perhaps, just maybe that's for the best. But there are moments, late at night, when the house is quiet and the parties are over that I wonder–was it really all worth it? The lies, the risks, the sacrifices I made to get here. I’ve told myself it's all for the dream, but sometimes I can't help but think about the life I left behind. About James Garrison, and if he 4 years ago would have recognized the man I've become–or if he'd even want to.(adjust tie voice soften as he reflects)But it was never about the money. Not really. It was about her. Daisy. The woman who made me want to be more. Who told me, with every glance and every word that I wasn’t enough. Everything I own, everything I've won, it was all for her. For her to look at me the way she looks at the stars, as if I’m something worth reaching for. The man I became to win her over is
the man who may truly never have her. Everything I've done to become worthy of her has only made her unattainable.And yet, here I am, with all of it, everything that she could have wished for. This house, the fame, the respect of everyone I’ve ever and will have met. And she’s there, just beyond my reach. The glow of her penthouse window just across the bay–just out of reach, it’s a beacon, reminding me of everything that I’ve built, but also everything that I still can’t have. I've built a kingdom, but the crown doesn't fit. The truth is, I didn't want the world–I just wanted her. And in chasing my dream, I lost the very part of myself that could have made it real. My goal was never about wealth or fame. And if I can't have daisy–if all of this was never enough–then what have I really achieved? Maybe the journey itself was always the dream. The chase. The climb. Because the moment you reach the top, there's nothing left but the fall.(pick up whiskey, raise as if giving a toast)To Jake Gates, the man they believe in. To the dream I’ve built, and to Daisy–may she always see me the way I've seen her: untouchable, unattainable, but worth every single sacrifice.
PLANNING AND PRE-EVALUATION:What does Gatsby want?What was Gatsby’s intention/goal in the book? To fake his status and wealth. It draws everyone in and he could relive his past as a richer man. Daisy marries because of wealth, thus, Gatsby would want to be wealthy. He makes efforts with associating with powerful figures of high status, like going to Oxford, being a high ranking officer in the military, relating himself to Wolfsheim demonstrating he has influence and such. Gatsby reinvents himself completely, talking like a gentleman which can create the illusion of an upper class person. He constantly “receives” calls from Philadelphia, Chicago and other places to contribute to his display of status. It could mean he has business influence or authority and gives mystery around his character. Who does Gatsby want to appear as?Howd he get his money?- He said he inherited it- He said he worked in the drug business- He was a war hero- He was lucky and hard working How would that translate into a modern context?- Inheriting money- Perhaps the modern Gatsby could say inherited a small fortune that allowed him to invest it wisely in cryptocurrency markets. - Working in the drug industry- Just like in the book, the new character’s wealth could have come from fraud, such as a pump and dump scheme, by manipulating penny stock prices by selling to investors.- War Hero- Instead of being a part of the military, which the modern character could very well have been in, he could instead have claim to build a groundbreaking blockchain technology or helped revolutionize something which could help him gain admiration for his “contributions” to the digital worldWho is he & Daisy, personality-wise?He should be charismatic, charming and eloquent, just like in the book. He uses social media or interviews to craft his “gentleman” image. He would post extravagant images of his vacations, just like how Gatsby would throw extravagant parties. He could post close up images of limited edition NFTs to show off his wealth.Daisy would a famous social media influencer. She would be the face of an exclusive brand or a heiress with ties to old-money families. She would kind of be the missing puzzle piece to him being a fully successful person.
Checklist:ChecklistRant:Knowledge: Specific events or scenes from the novel are referenced during your rant. (level 3)Meeting dan cody (victor cole)Fraudulent methods to reach the topGreen lightExtravagant partiesSpecific events or scenes from the novel are referenced and reflected up in an insightful way during your rant. (level 4)Victor Cole’s mentorship and inheritance that Jake never gotJake reflects the moral cost of his facade and contrasts the illusion of his wealth with the fear of exposure. It parallels with Gatsby’s operations which reveals how ambition often comes with ethical sacrificesThe penthouse glow is a literal and symbolic reflection of an unattainable dream. Its blocked by water, Jake cannot physically get to it, which also symbolizes the impossibility of fully achieving his dream.Rant reflects the questions posted on the assignment document. (level3)Validation through wealth and fame: Jake reflects on how his achievements validate his reinvention “I created this. I built Jake Gates from nothing, and every headline, every handshake, every whisper of admiration reminds me that I’ve succeeded”Doubts and regrets: “There are moments, late at night, when the house is quiet and the parties are over, that I wonder—was it worth it?”“To them, I’m the epitome of success: polished, powerful, untouchable.”Achievement of goal: Jake questions whether or not he truly succeeded “I’ve built a kingdom, but the crown doesn’t fit. My goal was never just wealth or fame; it was her. Daisy”Rant adds original personal insight that is believable and reflects the character’s conflicts and personality. (level 4)I have to be honest, I have no clue what this means :(Rant: Thinking/InquiryRant clearly demonstrates character’s thoughts, personality and conflicts (level 3)Jakes thoughts are made evidently clear throughout the rantRant enhances and adds insight not explicitly present in the novel to demonstrate the character's thoughts, personality and conflicts (level 4)Modernizes gatsby's struggles with a focus on fraud and his fear of exposureArchetypes, symbolism and other key literary elements connected to the character are alluded to in your rant (level 3)Jake is tragic hero and self made manPenthouse glow is a modernized version of a green light. Symbolizes how close but unreachable daisy isArchetypes, symbolism and other key literary elements connected to the character are alluded to in your rant and add creative insight (level 4)
Jake reflects and explicitly states the significance of the glowTheme is clearly demonstrated in your rant. (level 3)Themes of ambition, american dream and disillusionmentBeing self made and such, people admiring you because you worked hard enoughTheme is clearly demonstrated and enhanced through your rant in a personal and thoughtful way through the character's inner reflection or through the poetic or literary device. (level 4)Theme of the new modern american dream → people admiring you for starting from the ground up, being self-made, working hard. Taking risk, deception and doing what others wouldntPoetic or literary devices are clear. It is a simple form and not developed insightfully (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole). (level 3)Symbolism → penthouse glowMetaphor → rewriting rules a metaphor for how his ambition led him to manipulate the system and do illegal stuffPoetic or literary devices are insightfully expressed and enhances the theme in an original way (symbolism, juxtaposition, analogy, paradox, foreshadowing). (level 4)Foreshadowing → allusions to being found out and the framing of the soliloquy being a posthumous recording foreshadows his downfallJuxtaposition → many cases for example “..here's a man who's made it. But really, it's all a performance”, “i've built a kingdom but the crown doesn't fit”, jake gates vs james garrisonParadox → “The glow of her penthouse window just across the bay–just out of reach, it’s a beacon, reminding me of everything that I’ve built, but also everything that I still can’t have” ?? might be stretching itThe American dream promises hard work and ambition can achieve anything but Jake has already achieved success. He's hard working, yet he still hasn't gotten what he wanted. His material abundance contrasts with his emotional poverty.Presentation: Communication/Application❏Oral Communication skills: intentional and sustained eye contact, body posture, clarity/expression of voice, recall of information, use of quotes in your analysis.❏I couldn't do eye contact because of the way my camera was positioned. I was reading my script and looking at the actual video but because my camera is above the screen real eye contact is physically impossible.❏Media uses appropriate costumes, setting and music to reflect the character's personality, conflict and backstory. ❏Suit and tie because Jake maintains a professional persona, especially when this video is meant to go to the world.❏Music also sets the appropriate mood and tone of your backstory. ❏Voice is clear and the characterization is effective. ❏I should be a voice actor :)