Examples Of Identity In The Great Gatsby

Every individual holds an idealistic image of themselves that they aspire to embody and uphold, placing on a mask that reflects a constructed personality. Carl Jung, a Swiss founder of analytical psychology, muses, “The ‘persona’ (or mask) is the outward face we present to the world. It conceals our real self and…[we] present to others someone different to who we really are.” Moreover, only upon a closer analysis of their behaviors and ideas will one be able to recognize this masked identity and understand who a person truly is underneath it. Themes of identity and reputation are prevalent in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, as Jay Gatz, a once poor boy with big dreams, leaves his old life behind and changes his

Initially, Gatsby “[told] God’s truth” and explained himself to Nick as “the son of some wealthy people in the middle west” and that he had received an “educat[ion] in Oxford” (65). This understandably sets a prestigious image for himself. However, it was revealed that his past was a lie when Tom confronted Gatsby about his attendance at Oxford. As a response, Gatsby spoke truthfully about his past, explaining, “I only stayed five months...[it] was an opportunity they gave to some of the officers after the Armistice…[we] could go to any of the universities in England or France” (129). Gatsby’s confession reveals the level of care he took to inform others of his background. He intentionally omitted the fact that he did not attend as a student, but as an “officer,” which misguided others to believe that he had an unattainable and prestigious title. In the end, the facade was exposed as a fallacy, thus discrediting his status and bringing others to see the truth. Furthering this exposure, Tom angrily says, “[Gatsby] and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter,” (133) revealing exactly how Gatsby acquired his great amount of wealth: by cheating his way into riches through the illegal sale of substances under the law. Ultimately, Gatsby makes himself out to be a con-man, one who does not genuinely deserve the money he has due to the inauthentic and corrupt ways in which he obtained the money. Overall, Tom’s exposure of Gatsby portrays his wealth and image to become far less than admirable as Gatsby lies about his title and cheats his way to