Literature | High school » The Great Gatsby Essay Assignment

The Great Gatsby Essay Assignment Directions: In a well-organized essay, discuss ONE of the following topics, and reference at least one literary criticism article to support your argument. The introduction must capture the reader’s attention and funnel to a one sentence, declarative thesis that contains an element of analysis (an “angle”). The succeeding body paragraphs must have topic sentences, supporting concrete details (in the form of direct quotations), and strong analysis/commentary. Your essay must include a conclusion that makes a judgment Be sure to put the author and title in the introductory paragraph, but not in your thesis. Requirements: • 3-4 pages typed, double-spaced (including heading) • use at least one literary criticism (maximum of three) in your argument • size 12 pt. font (Times New Roman) • 1” margins all the way around • header (last name and page number) in upper-right-hand corner of every page • heading on first page of essay only (left

side of paper) • centered title that is appropriate to your topic and angle (not underlined, quoted or emboldened) • Work Cited page with the novel and secondary source(s) listed on it Outline Due: Wednesday, April 10th Rough Draft Due: Monday, April 15th. No exceptions! Even if you are sick, turn it in by email Final Draft Due: Monday, April 29th. No exceptions! Even if you are sick, turn it in by email 1. Examine the role of female characters – namely Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle – in the novel What kind of influence or power do they wield? Consider their social positions and interactions. 2. Depending on your point of view, Gatsby is either a vulgar, corrupt wheeler-dealer whose only interest in people is in his desire to use them to achieve his adolescent dream, or that he represents a tragic victim whose goal in life is to chase after the unattainable American dream. Discuss how Fitzgerald uses elements in the novel to support one of these opinionated images of Gatsby.

(Which one is accurate?) 3. F Scott Fitzgerald crafted Nick Carraway as a “perfect narrator” But Nick does have imperfections Throughout The Great Gatsby, the reader sees Nick cast in different roles: semi-disinterested reporter to active participant, reluctant tag-along to protector of Gatsby. While he tells us that “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments” (5) and “I’m one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (64), Nick eventually says of Gatsby “I disapproved of him from beginning to end” (162) and he labels Tom and Daisy as “careless people.[who] smashed up things and creatures” (187) Using specific references to the novel, answer the following question: Who is the real Nick Carraway? 4. Phony vs Real: One of the main themes of the novel is how illusion is mistaken for reality Illustrate how this is true in the various party scenes, in the empty gestures and speeches of the main characters, and in the basic fabric of Jay Gatsby’s life. 5. Money:

Analyze the portrayal of wealth in the novelthe difference between “old money” and “new money” as well as the things that money can and cannot buy. What is Fitzgerald ultimately trying to say about money and materialism? What does Gatsby’s rise and fall say about the pursuit of wealth and status in the world of the novel? 6. The Great Gatsby has been called "the great American novel" In what sense is the novel about a uniquely American experience? Why does Fitzgerald compare Gatsbys experience to that of the first Dutch sailors who encountered the "new world"? Show how several elements in the novel contribute to this explanation of the time period. (What is his message about the time period?) Articles to be used for consideration in Essays: • • • • • • • • • • Jay Gatsby: A Dreamer Doomed to Be Excluded. The Novelist Jesmyn Ward Explains.https://wwwnytimescom/2018/04/12/books/review/jesmyn-ward-greatgatsbyhtml A Point Of View:

Gatsby and the way we live now https://www.bbccom/news/magazine22722999 GATSBY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS https://www.claremontorg/crb/article/gatsbyand-the-pursuit-of-happiness/ The Serious Superficiality of The Great Gatsby https://www.newyorkercom/books/pageturner/the-serious-superficiality-of-the-great-gatsby The Great Gatsby still challenges myth of American Dream https://www.postgazettecom/ae/movies/2013/05/10/The-Great-Gatsby-still-challenges-myth-of-AmericanDream/stories/201305100196 The Great Gatsbys Relation to and Importance as a Work of Art http://www.inquiriesjournalcom/articles/354/the-great-gatsbys-relation-to-and-importance-as-awork-of-art The Great Gatsby delusion https://www.telegraphcouk/culture/books/10862625/The-GreatGatsby-delusionhtml Great Gatsby Literary Articles: https://www.academiaedu/34057681/The Great Gatsby Literary Articles The Role of Women in the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

http://citeseerx.istpsuedu/viewdoc/download?doi=101110267731&rep=rep1&type=pdf Feminist Interpretations of The Great Gatsby https://crossref-it.info/textguide/the-greatgatsby/34/2453 Great Gatsby - Outline I. Introduction a. Hook/Opener: b. Transition: c. Intro to topic: d. Transition: e. Intro to text:

f. Thesis statement (last sentence of introduction): II. Body Paragraph 1 a. Topic/Focus: b. Topic Sentence: c. Example #1: d. Analysis of #1: e. Example #2:

f. Analysis of #2: g. Example #3: h. Analysis of #3: i. (T) Concluding paragraph sentence: III. Body Paragraph 2 a. Topic/Focus: b. Topic Sentence: c. Example #1:

d. Analysis of #1: e. Example #2: f. Analysis of #2: g. Example #3: h. Analysis of #3: i. (T) Concluding paragraph sentence:

IV. Body Paragraph 3 a. Topic/Focus: b. Topic Sentence: c. Example #1: d. Analysis of #1: e. Example #2: f. Analysis of #2: g. Example #3

(optional): h. Analysis of #3: i. (T) Concluding paragraph sentence: V. Body Paragraph 4 a. Topic/Focus: b. Topic Sentence: c. Example #1: d. Analysis of #1:

e. Example #2: f. Analysis of #2: g. Example #3 (optional): h. Analysis of #3: i. (T) Concluding paragraph sentence: VI. Conclusion: a. Readdress thesis:

b. Restate your most powerful argument(s): c. Return to topic/call to action: d. Clincher (tie back to hook):