Note: This blogging assignment regards (starting on) page 100 of the eBook provided for you under the “Gatsby” tab. 
         Gatsby: The Great Gatsby eBook (click the button)


Consider the following before responding:

Fitzgerald continues to reference western heroes by naming Gatsby’s benefactor “Dan Cody,” an allusion to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody. In the late eighteenth century, Daniel Boone, an American pioneer, created routes for westward expansion to what is now Kentucky and Missouri. Narratives of these exploits were published in magazines, inspiring young people with accounts of courage. Buffalo Bill Cody began his career with a series of Wild–West experiences, working for Custer, shooting buffalo, and acting as a scout for the U.S. Army.

In Chapter 7, we learn of Gatsby’s origins as James Gatz of North Dakota. In the novel, Gatsby has become his alter ego, leaving James Gatz behind as he travels the world as Dan Cody’s steward. 

How do Fitzgerald’s allusions—to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody—apply to Gatsby as a character? Is Gatsby doomed to tragedy as long as he disguises his Midwestern origins in favor of a more extravagant, fictional biography? Do you think Gatsby ever knew a Dan Cody—why or why not (I’m looking for support from the book!)?

Keep in mind that Fitzgerald’s allusions are in regard to Dan Cody, not Gatsby himself. Respond in no less than five, thorough sentences for the entire twenty points. 


Allusion -- an implied or indirect reference especially in literature; also : the use of such references. 
Matthew Jarman
10/17/2012 10:53:38 am

they apply to him as his wanting to see Daisy. Yes he is. Yes he is careful around Tom. (pg. 120)

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Emily powell
10/18/2012 11:25:04 am

Gatsby made Dan up from other guys he knew and said that he was Gatsby's mentor. Gatsby also added him in the story to seem like he was more than what he really was. He created Dan in the stories to make them more interesting. Gatsby stretches the truth in the stories he told as Dan represents Buffalo Bill. I dont think he actually knew him. He was all made up all to make him look legit and popular.

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Srdjan Ilic
10/18/2012 12:25:36 pm

Fitzgeralds illusions apply to gatsby because they served as mentors in a sense.Yes, he is doomed to tragedy because he lied and would make himself a part of the stories to make himself seem more interesting. No i do not think Gatsby ever knew Dan Cody. I think that Dan was a made up character from people that Gatsby knew so that he could say Dan was his mentor.

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Sierra Phillips
10/18/2012 03:03:38 pm

They applied to Gatsby as a character simply because it changed his class status to upper class and wealth. He never knew a Dan Cody he used his allusions he made up to make everyone believe that's how he became rich, which isn't true. It's as if gatsby is living his live though the life of mr Cody. Dan Cody created who jay gatsby was, he developed him and made him. I'm still confused on the question somewhat ..

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Sarah
10/19/2012 02:08:56 am

Gatsby made Dan up from other guys he knew and said that he was gatsby's mentor. Gastby also added him in the story to seem like he was more than what he really was. He created Dan in the stories to make them more interesting. Gastby stretches the truth I'm stories he told as Dan represents buffalo bill. I don't think he actually knew him. He was all made up all to make him look legit and popular.

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Mr. Poderzay
10/22/2012 12:26:53 am

Emily's response:

Gatsby made Dan up from other guys he knew and said that he was Gatsby's mentor. Gatsby also added him in the story to seem like he was more than what he really was. He created Dan in the stories to make them more interesting. Gatsby stretches the truth in the stories he told as Dan represents Buffalo Bill. I dont think he actually knew him. He was all made up all to make him look legit and popular.

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Carl Taylor
10/24/2012 10:50:22 am

Dan Cody is a fake person and it an imaginary friend. He made him up FOR NOOOOOO reason. Dan Cody is a man who is a fake dude.

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Sam Conrad
10/24/2012 08:16:41 pm

Fitzgerald's allusions to Daniel Boone and Buffalo Bill Cody are quite intriguing in "The Great Gatsby". A mix of them and another person, James Gatz, make up Gatsby's personality. To Gatsby in this book, it is almost as if Daniel Boon and Buffalo Bill Cody made up this fictional character (Dan Cody) in Gatsby's mind, as if he made Dan Cody up, longing to be such an explorer as those two. Gatsby was most certainly doomed to tragedy with his elaborate "experiences" in mind. As far as I'm concerned, and for all of this, Dan Cody never existed, he was only a figment of Gatsby's imagination.

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