The Great Gatsby

# Essay Prompt: *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald **Prompt:** In *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald explores Jay Gatsby's unyielding quest for wealth, status, and Daisy Buchanan as a means to critique the emptiness of the American Dream. **Argue that Gatsby's idealized vision of the past ultimately leads to his destruction**, analyzing how Fitzgerald employs symbolism, characterization, and narrative perspective to illustrate that the American Dream is fundamentally flawed and unattainable. --- **Requirements:** - Develop a clear, debatable thesis that takes a stance on how Gatsby's idealism contributes to his downfall. - Incorporate **at least three pieces of textual evidence**, including one major symbol (e.g., the green light, the Valley of Ashes, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg). - Analyze Fitzgerald's use of **Nick Carraway as narrator** and how his perspective influences the reader's understanding of Gatsby. - Address a **counterargument**: consider whether Gatsby's dream is more admirable than destructive. - Conclude by linking Gatsby's fate to Fitzgerald's broader commentary on American society in the 1920s. --- **Suggested Length:** 4–6 paragraphs (approximately 800–1,200 words)

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# Essay Prompt: *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald **Prompt:** In *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream, presenting it as an illusion that leads to moral decay and destruction. In a well-structured essay, discuss how Fitzgerald uses the character of Jay Gatsby — particularly his relentless chase for wealth, status, and Daisy Buchanan — to reveal the emptiness and inevitable downfall of the American Dream. Use specific examples from the novel, including symbolism (like the green light and the Valley of Ashes), characterization, and narrative perspective, to back up your argument. **Requirements:** - Formulate a clear, arguable thesis that goes beyond just summarizing the plot. - Include at least **three pieces of textual evidence**, with proper citations. - Consider at least **one counterargument** (for instance, viewing Gatsby's ambition as admirable or a hallmark of the American spirit) and refute it. - Wrap up by linking Fitzgerald's critique to a wider theme concerning society, identity, or the nature of desire.

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# Essay Prompt: *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald **Prompt:** In *The Great Gatsby*, F. Scott Fitzgerald showcases Jay Gatsby's unyielding quest for wealth, status, and Daisy Buchanan as a way to critique the American Dream, revealing it as a fundamentally empty and corrupting ideal. **Write a well-organized essay in which you argue** whether Fitzgerald portrays the American Dream as inherently unattainable, morally corrupting, or both. Use specific evidence from the novel — including characterization, symbolism (like the green light, the Valley of Ashes, and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg), and narrative perspective — to support your argument. --- **Guiding Questions to Consider:** - What does the American Dream signify for Gatsby, Tom, Daisy, and Nick? Do they each pursue the same version of it? - How does Fitzgerald use setting and symbolism to emphasize his critique of wealth and ambition? - In what way does Nick Carraway's narration influence the reader's moral assessment of the other characters? - Does the novel hint at any possibility of a *genuine* or *redeemable* version of the American Dream, or is it dismissed entirely? --- **Requirements:** - Develop a clear, defensible thesis that presents a specific claim about Fitzgerald's critique. - Integrate at least **three pieces of textual evidence** with analysis. - Address at least **one counterargument** and refute or complicate it. - Suggested length: **4–6 paragraphs** (or as directed by your teacher).

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