Throughout the novel, we see Gatsby …show more content…
One day, Nick carraway informed the readers that, “It was James Gatz who had been loafing along the beach that afternoon in a torn green jersey and a pair of canvas pants, but it was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a rowboat” (Fitzgerald 98). This shows that during this time, Gatsby had figured out what he wanted and needed to do for his self-creation. The real reason why Gatsby changed his name was to start his new identity. You can't start a new life if you have parts of your old life in it. Also, it is important to remember that not only does Gatsby change his name and start planning his new life, he also comes from a penniless family. After Gatsby’s death, Nick shares with the reader that, “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all” (Fitzgerald 98). it is clear that Gatsby didn’t want his parents to be apart of his new life. The real reason Gatsby lies about his parents is because he felt that he could not achieve his long-term dream with them around. No one wants to live life in a lie, but Gatsby felt that the only way to achieve his goal was to be