Gatsby Essay

The Great Gatsby Essay

Select one of the following topics to construct a five-paragraph essay with an intro, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You must use SPECIFIC EXAMPLES in your essay (this means quotes—at least one per body paragraph).

A sure-fire approach to an organized essay, is a very specific thesis that incorporates the prompt.

The American Dream/Identity
What makes this novel eternally “American”? In other words, what are Fitzgerald’s comments on America—class relations, hopes and dreams, greed and wealth, morality, and how do we see these themes today?

• Sample thesis: The Great Gatsby is the perfect “American” novel because of Fitzgerald’s comments on _________________, _________________, and _________________. 

Color Imagery
How does Fitzgerald use color imagery to convey theme? In other words, what is the significance of the colors he uses?

• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses the color _________________ to explore the themes of _________________, _________________, and _________________. 
• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the theme of _________________, through the colors _________________, _________________, and _________________. 

Symbols
What symbols are used in the novel, and what are their meanings? How do these symbols convey theme?

• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses the the symbol of _________________ to explore the themes of _________________, _________________, and _________________. 
• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the theme of _________________, through the symbols _________________, _________________, and _________________. 

Setting
What does the geography of the novel suggest about its themes and characters? In what ways is the setting important in The Great Gatsby? Think about the importance of New York. Or consider how the places people live (even houses) reflect their personalities.

• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses setting to aid in characterization, particularly the characters of _________________, _________________, and _________________. 
• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses setting in order to convey the themes of _________________, _________________, and _________________. 
• Sample thesis: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald conveys the theme of _________________, through setting, particularly _________________, _________________, and _________________. 

Character Analysis
What makes Jay Gatsby “Great”? Is he actually “great?” Why or why not? Is the title of the book ironic or truthful? Explain.

• Sample thesis: The character of Jay Gatsby is truly “great,” because of _________________, _________________, and _________________. 
• Sample thesis: The title of The Great Gatsby is ironic; the character of Jay Gatsby is not “great” because of _________________, _________________, and _________________.