THE GREEN LIGHT

The green light at the end of the dock flashed to make incoming
boaters aware of the dock. However for me, it represented my hopes
and dreams for the future. My friend Nick Carraway described the first
time he saw me in the following sentence. He stretched out his arms
toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I
could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward
and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far
way, that might have been at the end of the dock (Fitzgerald 20-21).
Nick witnessed me as I stood in my yard staring at the light streaming
from Daisys East Egg dock. My driving ambition was to obtain Daisy
once more. I planned to accomplish this by using another green object.
I believed I could win back Daisy using my money and wealth. As I
reflect on how I was staring at the faint, distant, green light, I realize I
was fixated on the past. Daisy was far away and untouchable, but I
couldnt accept that reality. Unfortunately, I was not able to achieve my
dream no matter how hard I tried. It was out of reach just like the
green light.

THE AUTOMOBILE
Another important object to me is my cars. With the invention of Henry
Fords Model T automobile, cars became affordable for the middle
class, but I owned a Rolls-Royce among other cars. My cars were for

the rich. Nick recalled the time he rode with me to have lunch where I
asked for his help in setting up a meeting with my perfect Daisy.
Gatsbys gorgeous car lurched up the rocky drive to my door and gave
out a burst of melody from its three-noted horn. It was a rich cream
color, bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous
length (Fitzgerald 63-64). My cars symbolized wealth and status. As
we drove across the Queensboro Bridge to New York City, a hearse and
a limousine passed us. Looking back, I realize now the link between
wealth and death. Cars may look beautiful but they are weapons too.
After several of my parties, crashes occurred. A drunk driver went into
a ditch. Another driver ran over a mans hand. Unfortunately, Myrtle
was struck and killed when Daisy was driving my car, but I had to
protect Daisy and take the blame.

MEDAL OF HONOR
Another important piece of memorabilia is my medal of honor. I have
fond memories of War World I. I tried very hard to die, but I seemed to
bear an enchanted life. I was promoted to be a major and every Allied
government gave me a decoration even Montenegro (Fitzgerald 66).
The back of the medal says Major Jay Gatsby, For Valour
Extraordinary (Fitzgerald 67). I met and fell in love with Daisy five
years ago when I was training to be an officer in Louisville. She was full

of grace and charm. I idolized her social position, wealth, and

popularity. My friend Nick fought in WWI as well.

PHOTOGRAPH WITH MATES AT OXFORD

Heres another thing I always carry. A souvenir of Oxford days
(Fitzgerald 67). It is a photograph of myself and some other young men
wearing blazers at the University of Oxford in England. This picture is
one of my prized souvenirs. Daisys husband Tom had the audacity to
question whether I went to Oxford. Tom said, An Oxford man! Like hell
he is! (Fitzgerald 122). I told him, I only stayed five months. It was an
opportunity they gave to some of the officers after the Armistice
(Fitzgerald 129). I know that arrogant man did not believe me. Tom
thinks he is better than me because he comes from old money. I am a

self made man who made my own money and not handed money by
rich parents.

DAN CODYS YACHT

The man who has influenced my life the most was Dan Cody. In my
room, there is a large photograph of an elderly man, Dan Cody, in a
yachting costume. I knew Dan when I was just seventeen. I drifted
back to Lake Superior and was still searching for something to do on
the day that Dan Codys yacht dropped anchor (Fitzgerald 99). Seeing
Dan and his yacht impacted me. That yacht represented all the
beauty and glamour in the world (Fitzgerald 100). Inspired my Dan
and my dream for wealth, I changed my birth name, James Gatz, to Jay
Gatsby. Dan taught me the importance of money. He made me realize I
could overcome my impoverished youth. I worked for Dan for five years
traveling around the world. I did many odd jobs, including protecting

Dan when he drank too much. He is the reason I dont drink alcohol.
Because of Dan, I have dedicated my life to the achievement of wealth.
I know money will bring happiness

MY PARTIES
My decadent parties consisted of guests, lights, food, and a live
orchestra featuring jazz music. Crates of fresh oranges and lemons
arrived every Friday. There was a machine in the kitchen which could
extract the juice of two hundred times by a butlers thumb (Fitzgerald
39-40). The buffet tent in the garden overflowed with a feast. My hope
in throwing such lavish parties was to gain the admiration of Daisy. I
did not even know many of the guests at my own parties. I was very
disappointed the first time Daisy came to a party. I told Nick She
didnt like it. She didnt have a good time (Fitzgerald 109). Nick tried
to tell me, You cant repeat the past (Fitzgerald 110). I did not agree.
I thought I could make everything the way it used to be with Daisy. In
my pursuit of Daisy, I was trying to recreate the past.

MY CLOTHES
I love to dress in luxurious, flashy fabrics of gold and pink and bright
hues. My expensive outfits demonstrate my success and wealth. When
Daisy saw my closet, she was impressed. She sobbed, Theyre such
beautiful shirts. It makes me sad because Ive never seen such-such
beautiful shirts before. On the other hand, Tom mocked my pink suit
with a gold tie. He wears a pink suit (Fitzgerald 122). Tom believes
that wealth alone cannot make somebody fit in with high society. He
believes an education is needed as well. Tom thinks I am insecure and
trying to hide my humble beginnings. Because he inherited his wealth,
he believes a person should dress in a conservative, understated style.
However, I am dressing to impress others, especially Daisy. Obviously it
is working. Daisy realizes I made something of myself. She cares about
wealth and material items.

MY POOL
It was the end of the summer. The gardener wanted to drain the pool
because leaves would start falling. I objected. I told him, Dont do it
to-day. You know, old sport, Ive never used pool all summer
(Fitzgerald 153)? My pool was in the center of the backyard right across
the sound from Daisys house. I realized I didnt achieve my dream to
possess Daisy. Daisy didnt leave Tom for me. It is hard to let go of my
dream. I decided it was time I enjoyed my hard work by swimming in
my marble pool. Party-goers had enjoyed it all summer, but I had not. I
decided to go for a swim.

FLOWERS
Flowers have meaning to me because Daisys name is a flower. Daisy
is gorgeous and elegant just like the flower. Nick recalled the first time
we kissed five year ago. At his lips touch she blossomed for him like a
flower and the incarnation was complete (Fitzgerald 111). When I was
meeting Daisy again at Nicks house, I had flowers delivered with
numerous flowers. A daisy is white on the outside. Daisy often wears
white and drives a white car demonstrating her goodness. The flower is
yellow on the inside. This demonstrates Daisys love for money. As I
have said, Her voice is full of money (Fitzgerald 120). I believe my
wealth and status can win her back.

BOOKS
As a child, I kept a list of resolves in a book. The book was called
Hopalong Cassidy (Fitzgerald 173). At the end of the book, I wrote a

list that included read one improving book or magazine per week, and
save $3.00 per week (Fitzgerald 173). I was determined to make
something of my life. I was ambitious and had a plan for a better life. I
wonder if my dad still owns that book? Books are important. My library
is full of books. One of my guests believed the books were not real, but
he was wrong. He marveled over how many books I owned. I think he
thought I was a fraud because the books were not read.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner. 1925. Print.