Why does James Gatz change his name to Jay Gatsby?
if you've seen the movie or read the book
2006-10-27 07:34:15 · 5 answers · asked by kiki Dee 5 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The title character is obviously a very status-conscious individual, who has made it his life's ambition to remake himself so he can pass for a wealthy aristocrat. The last name "Gatz" has an ethnic sound to it that he wanted to hide by using a more blue-blood-sounding name like "Gatsby."
2006-10-27 07:50:04 · answer #1 · answered by kikoman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He wanted something that sounded classier. James Gatz was too common sounding.
2006-10-27 14:39:36 · answer #2 · answered by Christabelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wanted his name to sound witty and rich, that was the goal he was going for throughout the whole book, to become part of the American Dream
2006-10-27 16:54:32 · answer #3 · answered by Marie L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because his birth name wasn't very prominent sounding. Remember, the whole book he is trying to impress people and act like he is prominent.
2006-10-27 15:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by shootingstar0212 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's nothing compared to what people are prepared to do for "love". He changed his name, because he thought that by doing so he can change his own personality! Which, of course, is stupid. If it were that easy everybody would be doing it.
2006-10-27 16:40:52 · answer #5 · answered by Rozel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋