In Chapter VI, we are given Gatsby's full history. He indeed was raised as a farm boy, and he eventually became ambitious and ventured off until he was introduced to Dan Cody, a millionaire; who met Gatsby while he was searching for something to do with his life. Dan Cody caught notice of Gatsby's ambition and decided to take him under his wing. Eventually, when Cody died he left Gatsby quite the sum of money in inheritance; although the majority went to his wife. However, we are made unaware of Gatsby's current business and how he managed to build up his wealth. Although Gatsby did make mention of being in the drug store and oil businesses, but nothing solidified. It is also revealed that it was through Dan that he was able to be educated at Oxford University, being one of the things Dan was able to do for Gatsby. Dan's death as well as his inner turmoil pertaining to his past being why negative emotions arise when reminiscing about his time there.
Interestingly enough, this chapter made mention to Gatsby's self-absorption. When Gatsby, or James Gatz as he was known before he changed his name, never accepted his parents as his true parents. Gatz imagined bigger things than working on a farm, and in his ambition and 'imagination' went off to try and be bigger. However Gatz was so prideful, he went through many small time jobs because he believed that he could be bigger, better, and completely separate him from himself and his family background. Of course, it was soon after that he met Dan Cody, who took him in and offered him a job. It was then he took a name that I believe Gatz thought was much flashier and much more fitting for who he imagined himself to be: Jay Gatsby, which Nick comments that he possibly had been saving this name change for a long time. This could also be why he chose to take Daisy as his bride initially, as he wanted to have a woman of status to go along with his self-created identity of being a sophisticated, upper class man; and having Daisy marry Tom putting a large hole in his life, his self image being completely blown apart, his loneliness being a product of his inner conflict between his past and who he wants to be. This could also be why he is so happy to be reunited with Daisy and why he is quick to kiss her at the end of the chapter. By kissing Daisy and being involved in an affair, he casts aside his farm roots by defying a very strict rule in the Christianity, which is commonly practiced in rural areas, by being involved in this affair; Gatsby becomes like the wealthy swingers of the time and gets closer to establishing his image of himself in his mind into reality.
Interestingly enough, this chapter made mention to Gatsby's self-absorption. When Gatsby, or James Gatz as he was known before he changed his name, never accepted his parents as his true parents. Gatz imagined bigger things than working on a farm, and in his ambition and 'imagination' went off to try and be bigger. However Gatz was so prideful, he went through many small time jobs because he believed that he could be bigger, better, and completely separate him from himself and his family background. Of course, it was soon after that he met Dan Cody, who took him in and offered him a job. It was then he took a name that I believe Gatz thought was much flashier and much more fitting for who he imagined himself to be: Jay Gatsby, which Nick comments that he possibly had been saving this name change for a long time. This could also be why he chose to take Daisy as his bride initially, as he wanted to have a woman of status to go along with his self-created identity of being a sophisticated, upper class man; and having Daisy marry Tom putting a large hole in his life, his self image being completely blown apart, his loneliness being a product of his inner conflict between his past and who he wants to be. This could also be why he is so happy to be reunited with Daisy and why he is quick to kiss her at the end of the chapter. By kissing Daisy and being involved in an affair, he casts aside his farm roots by defying a very strict rule in the Christianity, which is commonly practiced in rural areas, by being involved in this affair; Gatsby becomes like the wealthy swingers of the time and gets closer to establishing his image of himself in his mind into reality.