The Great Gatsby: A Total Failure Gatsby believed that he could change anything with his wealth. Success for him was obtaining a high status in society. His goal was to win the woman he loved from her family. He always saw things in a very superficial way. Gatsby was very selfish and nothing would discourage him. All he would care is to get by and not look about for others. He not only failed people he knew but he failed himself. Thus Gatsby was a total failure. Gatsby failed to respect or have any concern for his parents because they were financially weak. Gatsby left home at an early age (Fitzgerald. p99). He changed his name from James