Gatsby Final Essay Options printable pdf download

Junior English -- Spring 2011

Great Gatsby Analysis Essay (100 pts)

As part of our Gatsby closure, write a focused, well-supported (at least 3 quotes and other examples

from the book and life observations), multi-page argument essay which addresses one of the

following topics:

1. Through The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald seems to communicate a message about people’s failure to

accomplish their dreams—Nick, Gatsby, Tom, Daisy all have ideas for the perfect life and none of

them are able to achieve them. Deeply explore one character—his/her dreams, his/her attempts to

accomplish those dreams, his/her reasons for failure, and the message that Fitzgerald might be

communicating through this failure.

2. In his essay “Paradox and Dream,” Steinbeck describes Americans as “a restless, dissatisﬁed, a

searching people” (1)—we dream of buying a home, but once we get it, we’re dissatisﬁed and want

something bigger. The Great Gatsby also has a lot to say about Americans and the American Dream.

Throughout the novel, we see Jay Gatsby trying to achieve his dreams of wealth and Daisy’s love.

Tom and Daisy, with their riches and life of leisure, have seemingly achieved the American Dream,

but also are described as restless and unsatisﬁed. George Wilson has started his own business, but is

struggling to make ends meet. Using at least three examples from The Great Gatsby (and, if you’d

like, other works we encountered this semester) show how the authors express this idea about

Americans and the American Dream. Do you agree with this perspective? Why? What do you think

would bring people true satisfaction?

3. The Great Gatsby also has a lot to say about identity. All of the main characters are midwesterners

who have moved out East in search of something. Nick, who feels restless when he returns from the

war and moves out East to learn the bond business, reﬂects on his life throughout the book. Gatsby

moves out East to win Daisy and completely changes his identity, including his name. Choose one of

the characters from the novel and, by using speciﬁc examples from the text, describe what you think

is that character’s true identity? Then, write at least a paragraph about your own identity—what is

your real identity?

4. 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?

5. In the Langston Hughes poem “A Dream Deferred,” Hughes asks questions about what happens to

postponed dreams. Using speciﬁc examples from the text, show how Fitzgerald examines this issue

of deferred dreams. What do you think are the effects of postponing our dreams? How can you apply

this lesson to your own life?

6. Writer’s Choice: Please don’t feel limited to these questions only. If you have an essay topic in mind

that is related to the novel, just see Mr. Kennett to describe your idea and get approval by 3/16.

Important Info

Length: around 2-3 pages (not less than 2 complete pages; 4 pages max)

Format: typed, double-spaced, 12-point standard font (times, helvetica, etc.)

Wednesday, 3/16/09: Bring a draft of your essay to class for peer feedback; bring your essay draft to the

literacy center in the library and get feedback (5 extra credit pts)

Friday, 3/18/09: Final essay due -- extra time (3/22) if you get feedback in the lit center before 3/18

Gatsby Final Essay Options

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