The Great Gatsby explores the incomparable mystery of Jay Gatsby. He is an enigma,
an Oxford man, and oftentimes a liar. He aims to deceive others about the true nature of his humble roots. Throughout the novel, readers are able to learn more about this man and his motives, and moreover the book’s message as a whole.
James Gatz is the picture of the “self-made man” that often encapsulated the American dream of the 1920s in which the book both takes place and was released. As such, his less-than-perfect background should represent a tale of inspiration. Yet, Gatsby continually conceals these facts from society. He craves what most people do: acceptance. Specifically, he wants to be accepted into the echelons of the upper class.. This is represented through his infatuation with the old money socialite, Daisy Buchanan.For example, Nick, the narrator, points to this ineffable quality within Daisy’s voice, but he can not quite verbalize what it is. It is Gatsby who is able to vocalize it: “her voice is full of money.” It is through this quote that readers may realize that Gatsby is more interested in what Daisy could represent: money, wealth, and social acceptance. Additionally, Gatsby constantly hides the truth as a way to get people to respect him as seen in the novel when he lies to both Tom and Nick about being an Oxford man. As the book progresses, readers learn more about the complex interplay of Gatsby, the man, and Gatsby, the legend, yet Gatsby would much rather be considered the latter.
This deception and more so his motives help reveal and discern multiple themes within the text. First and foremost, his dishonesty helps reveal the falsity of the American Dream in two ways: Gatsby’s own lack of a true come-up and society’s lack of acceptance. While Gatsby first comes across as a man of great prosperity, it is soon revealed that he gained this wealth from bootlegging. He lies about the true nature of his wealth multiple times. He says that he owns a chain of pharmacies or that he came from money. His wild parties on weekends encapsulates this new age of wealth. This dishonesty seemingly reveals that this pretty picture of new Americana is similarly a llie. Furthermore, one of the major pillars of the American Dream is the ability to bridge the class divide. Yet, readers see through Gatsby’s own journey that even when one reaches the mountaintop they are still not truly among the stars as Gatsby is not truly accepted by old money. For all intents and purposes, he is an outsider and no amount of lies or money will change that for him.
Lastly, Gatsby’s lies and their revelation and the perpetuation of his myth showcases the vanity and foolishness of the rich. As aforementioned, Gatsby should likely be proud of his story. Yet, he is revealed to be a rather eccentric man stuck in his own selfishness. He is a sort of pathological liar. Nick, who is the most middle-class character, constantly narrates that he does not particularly like him yet they share a similar background. Yet, there is likely a part of Gatsby who wants to be seen as higher than. Moreover, Daisy fancies herself in love with him until it is revealed that his wealth is not all that it would seem. This showcases that both Daisy and Gatsby as the picture of wealth within the novel are not a man or woman of character. To go on, Gatsby is not entirely responsible for his own legend. It is perpetuated by his fellow socialites. Yet, none of them try to get to know the real Gatsby despite ripping apart his mansion every weekend. This once again shows that these people are more concerned with the next thrill than anything else.
In conclusion , readers are able to learn more about this deceiver and his motives, and moreover the book’s meaning as a whole through this deception that runs through the book.

Fitzgerald masterfully showcases the downfalls of the rich and wealth through Gatsby’s arc and character.