Gatsby, the enigmatic millionaire of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, The Great Gatsby, embodies the American Dream – the relentless pursuit of wealth and social status. However, the source and extent of his fortune remain shrouded in mystery, a deliberate ambiguity that contributes to his allure and the novel's central themes. While Fitzgerald intentionally leaves the exact details vague, hints and allusions throughout the narrative provide enough clues to piece together a plausible, albeit illicit, explanation for Gatsby’s opulent lifestyle.
The most explicitly stated source of Gatsby’s wealth is his partnership with Meyer Wolfsheim, a notorious gambler and associate of organized crime. Gatsby himself alludes to this relationship in his conversations with Nick Carraway, stating, "He's the man who fixed the World's Series back in 1919." This statement directly connects Gatsby to Wolfsheim's criminal activities, suggesting that he profited handsomely from the rigged baseball game. While the exact nature of Gatsby's involvement remains unclear, it's highly probable that he provided the capital or logistical support for the fix, thereby earning a substantial return.
Beyond the fixed World's Series, Gatsby's wealth likely stems from other illicit ventures orchestrated by Wolfsheim. The roaring twenties, the era in which the novel is set, were a time of widespread bootlegging and illegal alcohol production due to Prohibition. Given Wolfsheim’s connections and Gatsby's need for quick and substantial wealth, it is highly probable that Gatsby played a key role in bootlegging operations, importing and distributing illegal liquor throughout the region. The vast sums of money generated by this illegal trade would certainly account for a significant portion of Gatsby's fortune. Further support for this theory is found in Gatsby's own description of his past, claiming he "was in the drug business" for a time. While this statement is intentionally vague, it can easily be interpreted as a euphemism for involvement in the distribution and sale of narcotics, another highly profitable and illegal enterprise during the Prohibition era.
Estimating the precise amount of Gatsby’s wealth is, of course, impossible given the fictional nature of the character. However, based on the tangible displays of his wealth described in the novel, we can infer a considerable fortune. His mansion, a colossal imitation of a French hotel, signifies immense capital investment. The constant stream of extravagant parties he throws, complete with overflowing food and drink, live music, and hundreds of guests, suggests a seemingly endless supply of money. Furthermore, Gatsby owns a luxurious car, likely a Duesenberg, a symbol of wealth and status in the 1920s. He also dresses in expensive clothes and has access to exclusive social circles. All these details contribute to an image of extreme affluence, placing Gatsby in the upper echelons of the wealthy elite.
Comparing Gatsby’s wealth to contemporary standards requires adjusting for inflation and the economic disparities of the time. A mansion of that scale in the 1920s would likely have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, equivalent to several million dollars today. The lavish parties, the car, and the lifestyle of leisure would have cost a considerable sum each year. Thus, it's reasonable to estimate that Gatsby possessed a fortune worth several million dollars in the 1920s, translating to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in present-day value. This makes him undeniably rich, placing him amongst the wealthiest individuals of his era, even though his wealth was obtained through questionable means.
It is important to note that Gatsby's wealth is not old money. Unlike the established fortunes of characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby’s wealth is newly acquired and lacks the social legitimacy and pedigree associated with inherited wealth. This distinction is crucial to understanding the novel's themes of social class and the unattainable nature of the American Dream. Gatsby's attempts to integrate into the established elite are constantly thwarted by his lack of social standing and the stigma attached to his newfound wealth.
The mystery surrounding Gatsby’s fortune serves a critical purpose in the narrative. It highlights the moral ambiguity of the Jazz Age, a time of rapid economic growth and social upheaval. Gatsby’s willingness to engage in illegal activities to achieve wealth raises questions about the corrupting influence of money and the sacrifices people make in pursuit of the American Dream. The fact that he ultimately fails to achieve his ultimate goal – to win back Daisy Buchanan – despite his wealth suggests that money alone cannot buy happiness or social acceptance. It also underscores the fact that his ill-gotten gains are built on a foundation of illegality and moral compromise, ultimately leading to his tragic downfall. The ambiguity allows the reader to contemplate the value system of the era, contrasting the allure of wealth with the underlying corruption and moral decay. In the end, Gatsby's fortune, however vast, is ultimately insufficient to buy him the one thing he truly desires: the past.
