By Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby, Nick reveals Gatsby's true identity. What does the reader begin to believe about Gatsby by this point?The Great...

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great
Gatsby, Chapter Six affords the reader a great deal of information about the
mysterious Gatsby.

Based upon what is shared about Gatsby's
history, the thing that impresses me the most, and makes Gatsby a believable character
is his wish, and his ability to fulfill this wish, of being something he chooses to be,
rather than making do with what he has been born to.

Gatsby
describes his parents as “shiftless and unsuccessful farm people,” an identity he wants
no part of. Though he strangely enough considers himself instead to b a son of God, he
realistically dreams of what he wants in his life and he makes it happen. This is
something some people can do out in the world, and it amazes
me.

The fact that Gatsby, as he is climbing his way to the
top, steps on those who are innocent and "hysterical," bothers me because I sense that
the metamorphosis Gatsby wants to create for himself comes at the expense of others,
showing him to be hard-hearted and self-centered. This, too, is
believable.

As Gatsby gets older, he finds himself
associated with Dan Cody, a man who moves through the world on his own terms. And while
being in Cody's company can only help Gatsby on his journey, he is savvy enough to see
Cody's weaknesses and avoid making those same mistakes. Once again, the man he wants to
be is a product of planning and careful observation. This, too, seems not only
believable, but an inherently intelligent move on Gatsby's part—taking steps to avoid
personal failure.

Based on the information about Gatsby's
past, his attitudes, and goals in life, I do find his actions believable. F. Scott
Fitzgerald probably knew people like this: people who wanted to be something they were
not, wanted to find a way to succeed despite family background, and possessing a
intuitive sense as to how to use every option open to them to realize their
goals.

Gatsby does not like his family roots: he sees no
future if he settles to "come from" these kind of people. So he disassociates himself
and provides himself with a fresh and perfect start: how could one better visualize
himself headed for success without family baggage surrounding him, than to base the
beginning of his life on the ideal of coming from God. (Strange as it is, it gives him a
"clean" start.)

In terms of reaching his goals, he is a
user: he treats those weaker than himself with disrespect and a lack of concern, and has
no problem associating with disreputable characters (Cody) to improve his own situation.
Though this may not be unusual behavior for some people, this shows an inherent flaw in
Gatsby's character. Rising above his station in life is admirable: people have been
reinventing themselves forever, but doing it at the expense of others is not a venerable
trait.

Gatsby's unrealistic pursuit and perceptions of
Daisy show him not to be grounding too firmly in reality, and this seems that it might
be his undoing because he will see only that which he acknowledges
to be true rather than what is actually true. To avoid difficulties
in life, one needs to be realistic, with eyes wide open.