In the novel The Great Gatsby, the question that looms over the novel is “Who inherited Gatsby’s money?”. This intriguing question is not easily answered by the novel’s authors. One theory suggests that Gatsby inherited his money from his father, Tom Buchanan. But if Tom Buchanan inherited his fortune from his father, then Gatsby didn’t. Regardless, he did build his wealth on his own. And while the novel doesn’t mention how Gatsby acquired his wealth, there’s no way to know for sure whether or not the author intended to make a point about this. Interestingly enough, some sources say that Gatsby inherited his money from his father, but he later revised his story to include the loss of his fortune in a
However, this speculation is premature. Gatsby didn’t leave his money to Nick, and he inherited enough from his mentor to enjoy life. This money was not enough to buy the things Gatsby desired, and he eventually lost it to his ex-girlfriend. Regardless of how Gatsby obtained his money, it’s clear that he earned his living as a bootlegger. In the 1920s, this was a common way to earn a living and socialize among wealthy residents of East Egg, as well as dangerous gangsters and mafia members.
The novel is rich and beautiful, but is Gatsby truly rich beyond all measure? Does he overspent and put his money in jeopardy? It seems unlikely that Gatsby was wealthy beyond all measure, and many believe that his overspending ultimately put his life in jeopardy. The novel may be a parable about the gilded age and the pitfalls of letting your checkbook take control of your life.