I recently watched a docudrama on Netflix titled ‘Inventing Anna’. It revolves around a woman named Anna Sorokin who introduces herself as Anna Delvey. The invention of a new identity to erase their initial social character is a common denominator for both Delvey and Gatsby.

In both Inventing Anna and the Great Gatsby, they both highlight the negative characteristics of people. However, this type of presentation almost always turns out idealized and glorified. These are people one should not aspire to be, but why?

Delvey and Gatsby are idealistic. Yet, they’ve built a reputation for themselves. Abandoning their past identity because they envision an identity that is more befitting to their goals and the person they aspire to be. This is an admirable act.

However, how they chose to become successful became the reason for their downfall. Karma. Is it?

How Netflix and Nick Carraway chose to portray these two people are quite similar. Nick portrays Gatsby as this tragic hero. Netflix portrays Delvey as a feminist icon. Despite the criminal acts, they are portrayed as inspiring.

There are many good quotes in Inventing Anna that could apply to Gatsby as well but here’s a memorable one:

“You think that there was some sort of evolution, like in the movies or whatever , but I was always who I am.”

Inventing Anna (Anna Delvey)

People tend to forget that Gatsby did not choose to become Jay Gatsby after he met Daisy. The idea of Jay Gatsby has always existed, the aspiration to become crazy rich and to be famous has always been there. Meeting Daisy was most likely the ultimate push.

“Is where I’m born always going to get in the way of who I want to be?”

Inventing Anna (Anna Delvey)

Both Gatsby and Delvey were born in an environment that did not satisfy them. However, that dissatisfaction became a motivation.