Gatsby did serve in World War I, but the most significant aspect of his service manifests itself in meeting Daisy -- Gatsby vowed to be worthy of Daisy by any means necessary, even if he had to lie, cheat, steal, create a false persona, and break the law. The climax occurs when Daisy and Gatsby meet, and commence their affair, getting back together as if nothing ever changed. By this time, Tom is almost completely 'in love' with the idea of Gatsby and Daisy, and sees them both as pure and noble. However, gradually this image begins to erode, especially after Gatsby willingly takes the blame when Daisy runs over Myrtle, Tom's lover. The falling action is not so much from a specific plot event but the impressions the reader gleans of Gatsby through Nick. During the exposition Gatsby is presented. The rising action involves Nick's infatuation with the mysterious man. The climax is when what Gatsby and to some extent Nick have been hoping for occurs, namely Daisy's return to Gatsby's arms, and the falling action is when the supposed purity of the relationship unravels.

Daisy has no...

Finally, at the very end of the novel, after Gatsby's suicide in his luxurious swimming pool, the reader sees that Gatsby's love for Daisy was far from pure as well. Gatsby had always been engaging in self-improvement efforts, even as a young boy. When Gatsby's father (whose real name is Henry Gatz) comes to his son's funeral, Nick realizes that Gatsby was never in love with Daisy, merely what Daisy represented. Even if Daisy had never existed, clearly Jay Gatz would have 'found' a Daisy to motivate him to transform himself. Gatsby made himself up, and made up Daisy as well. Nick realizes that his friend has sacrificed his life for a lie, for a false American Dream that promises social acceptance with monetary success. Even after making money, Gatsby was still shut out from desirable social friendships and Daisy's heart. Both Daisy and society took from Gatsby, but refused to give him back what he most desired -- love and self-worth.