Jay Gatsby’s belief in the ability to buy happiness is expressed through his lavish house, extravagant clothes, and his pursuit of Daisy. He possesses great wealth from an undisclosed source, which he uses to acquire his impressive home, fashionable wardrobe, and even the affections of Daisy, at least temporarily. Described by Fitzgerald as resembling a luxurious French estate, Gatsby’s house is a tangible representation of his vast income. Complete with its own entrance gate and the capacity to host large gatherings, it serves as a symbol of his opulence. Gatsby’s reckless spending on clothes further demonstrates his desire to impress others with his wealth. The extravagant shirts he regularly orders signify his attempt to showcase his prosperity to Daisy, whom he dearly loves. These shirts may seem insignificant, but they symbolize the American Dream that so many aspire to achieve. They exemplify the extravagant lifestyle Gatsby leads and his willingness to use material possessions to win over Daisy’s affections. Fitzgerald cleverly illustrates how Gatsby employs his riches to win Daisy’s heart. Throughout the story, it becomes apparent that Tom and Daisy are careless individuals who cause destruction in their wake.Daisy’s primary concern, as demonstrated by her quote “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool,” implies that money is her main priority. Gatsby recognizes this and is fueled by it, going to great lengths, even engaging in illegal activities, to acquire wealth. His infatuation with Daisy compels him to strive for a life of opulence, undertaking years of laborious work to pay for a house and regularly buying new clothes. Gatsby believes that by purchasing material goods, he can prove his worth to Daisy, who only values money.
Gatsby’s infatuation lies in the power that money possesses, encompassing both material possessions and physical attributes. His fixation on recapturing his past is driven by wealth. He suggests a background at Oxford and seduces Daisy with his affluence, often resorting to obvious falsehoods. However, Fitzgerald deliberately avoids delving into the duration or reasons for Gatsby’s attendance at Oxford, which was hindered by his displacement from the military. Gatsby presents Nick with a photograph from his “Oxford days,” implying he had been there. In reality, Gatsby had only fantasized about attending such a prestigious institution, and a small, deceptive taste of it fuels his desire to change his past. Through the photograph, Gatsby effectively recreates his past with little room for doubt. This recreation is built upon multiple outrageous and obscene lies. Nick even jests about it, commenting on Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle and dubiously suppressing his laughter. These lies, among others, shed light on how “James Gatz” attempts to recapture his past through deceitful means. Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of altering his past is solely driven by his longing for Daisy.Gatsby’s efforts to impress Daisy not only involve buying material items, but also accumulating as much money as possible. According to Jordan, Gatsby wants Daisy to see his house since she lives next door. It seems that his main intention is to showcase his wealth. However, when Daisy finally realizes this, a problem arises. While Gatsby does have money, he does not belong to the right social class. Despite being forced to tell lies, Gatsby tries to recapture his past in order to achieve a higher social status and win Daisy’s affection.
Gatsby utilizes various strategies to attain a reputation worthy of Daisy’s love. He relies on his ill-gotten wealth from bootlegging, his connections with influential individuals, and numerous public displays of wealth. Although his illegal enterprise brings him quick riches, it fails to garner the respect he desires. Gatsby understands that he needs to acquire wealth through legitimate means in order to be accepted by Daisy and the elite of East Egg. Furthermore, Gatsby uses association as a means to enhance his prestige. He ensures that he is seen with famous individuals, regardless of their moral character. However, engaging in activities such as fixing the World Series undermines his quest for respectability. He even associates himself with individuals who have questionable habits, like someone who wears teeth as cufflinks. While money and connections are essential, Gatsby realizes that adopting refined behavior and mannerisms is crucial to earn respect. He goes to extreme lengths to alter his appearance and speech in order to project an air of sophistication. One example of Gatsby’s refined behavior is his rare smile, which exudes a sense of eternal reassurance.Gatsby alters his speech, manners, and body language to appear respectable and gain integrity. He successfully creates the illusion of being what he aspires to be – respected. Despite his dubious wealth, associations, and actions, Gatsby’s efforts come close to achieving his goal.
Jay Gatsby never fully realizes that he cannot buy Daisy Buchanan, the embodiment of the “American Dream” and true happiness. He attempts to deceive others by projecting a facade of wealth and opulence. However, he is never fully embraced, and his longing for Daisy Buchanan remains unfulfilled. Though money can acquire tangible possessions like houses, cars, and expensive attire, Gatsby desires something intangible: a lost love. Unfortunately, this realization comes too late for him, as he fails to comprehend that happiness cannot be purchased.
