Discussion Topic
Gatsby's inheritance and his favorite expression
Summary:
Gatsby's inheritance is significant because it influences his aspirations and persona. His favorite expression, "old sport," reflects his desire to project an image of sophistication and camaraderie, aligning with his self-made, wealthy persona.
What did Gatsby inherit from Dan Cody after his death?
In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cody provided for Gatsby in his will "a legacy of twenty-five thousand dollars" (107). After Cody's death, all of his money went to Ellen Kaye, "the newspaper woman" who was conveniently on Cody's yacht, the Tuolomee, when Cody died (105). As a result, Gatsby received none of this intended legacy, through some legal machinations by Kaye. What he did take away from his five years with Cody was an education, traveling around the world on the yacht three times, being exposed to great wealth and many different kinds of people, and learning the foolishness of drunkenness, among other things. As Nick puts it, "the vague contour of Jay Gatsby had filled out to the substantiality of a man" (107).
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