Jay Gatsby Resolves

Jay Gatsby’s insignificant upbringing gave him reasons to make himself better and constantly look for ways to improve as a person and contribute to society. When Gatsby’s father arrives at his son’s house, he meets Nick. Mr. Gatz shows Nick a page from an old book of Gatsby’s. On the page was a outline of a young James Gatz’s day, including a list of general resolves and very organized schedule. Some of his resolves included: “no wasting time at Shafters or, no more smoking or chewing, and be better to parents” (173). These resolves indicate that Gatsby was trying to get rid of bad habits and be a better person. Raised by poor and unsuccessful farmers, Gatsby always had a vision that he was destined to be the “Jay Gatsby of West Egg” (98).

By organizing his day, Gatsby could further prepare himself to achieve success in the future. His determination to be the best version of himself at all times also leads into his adulthood. Like his childhood self, teenage Gatsby thinks highly of himself and continues to grasp every opportunity at improvement. When Gatsby attends a small college in southern Minnesota, he works as a janitor to pay his tuition. However, “he stayed there for two weeks, dismayed at its ferocious indifference to the drums of his destiny, to destiny itself” (99). Since Gatsby imagines himself as someone of a higher status in life, he sees janitor work to be too lowly for him. His humiliation of having to work as janitor in college significantly contrasts with his experiences with Dan Cody. While as an assistant to Dan Cody, “the yacht represented all the beauty and glamour in the world” (100) to Gatsby. Dan Cody represents the attainment of everything Gatsby wants. Actively aware of his dull beginnings, young Gatsby develops an obsession with wealth and status. Gatsby’s new identity symbolizes his desire to abandon his impoverished life and be the powerful man of his destiny.