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
A successful paper
reflects the following effective writing criteria:
THE GREAT GATSBY FINAL EXAM ESSAY RUBRIC
CONTENT:!
STYLE:" "
10 - Perfect
• Hook seems lacking; try to make it more
• Lots of weak verbs (especially in ʻmajorʼ
9.5 - Excellent
interesting
sentences)
9 - Very Good
• The main point or focus of the essay is unclear or
• Try to combine and/or shorten sentences to reduce
8.5 - Good
missing early in the paper
repetitive rhythm -- think sentence syntax.
8 - Pretty Good
• Main point or focus of the essay seems obvious or
• Try to use more vivid diction (loaded lang?) and/or
7.5 - Average
“factual”; lacks sophistication or ambition
syntax (parallel structure?) for style!
7 - Below
• Concentrate on using more specific and detailed
• Choppy or improper quote integration
Average
examples --> need more “E” from T.E.A.
6.5 - Needs Work
MECHANICS:
• Expand on your ideas --> need more “A” from
6 - Poor
T.E.A.
• Meets page requirement; normal 12 pt. font, 1 inch
Under 6 - Failure
margins, etc.
• Pathos/Logos/Ethos either imbalanced or
ineffective
• Missing papers (rough, peer reviews)!
• Does not use minimum of 3 quotes
• Fragments & run-ons (comma splices) present
• Other comma errors present
ORDER:!!
• Other proofreading issues present
• Try a more specialized introduction to really grab
• Improper MLA format used
your readerʼs attention
CONTENT+ORDER+STYLE+MECHANICS = ______ /50 X 2 =
• Try a more specialized conclusion to leave the
reader thinking
!
Final Score: ___________/100
• Your paragraph structure (topic / detail / transition)
sentences either missing or simplistic
• You need more sophisticated transitions in the
beginning of your topic sentences to transition
from the ideas in your previous paragraphs
• Order of ideas / sections / Ps inconsistent,
illogical, or off-topic
Removing to be verbs…
Laura is a photographer for the local newspaper.
Better: Laura works as a photographer for the local newspaper.
Better: Laura shoots photographs for the local newspaper.
George hasn't been well for a long time.
Better: George's illness has lasted for a long time.
Removing passive verbs…
The most common and easiest way to "correct" a passive sentence is to flip the sentence so that the actor is
performing the action on someone or something. Sometimes an actor must be added to the active sentence if
the passive sentence omits it.
Passive: The ball was hit. Active: Bill hit the ball. (Note the addition of the previously unmentioned actor Bill.)
Passive: The box of treasure had been buried by the pirates before they escaped from the royal navy.
Active: The pirates had buried the box of treasure before they escaped from the royal navy.
MLA Info…
Whenever you are including a quote from a novel, try to avoid having the quote stand all alone; instead, integrate
the quote into your own sentence.
No: Fitzgerald showed this when Daisy was talking to Nick. “Iʼve had a very bad time, Nick, and Iʼm pretty cynical
about everything” (Fitzgerald 16).
Yes: Fitzgerald showed Daisyʼs cynicism when she claimed to Nick that she was “pretty cynical about
everything” (Fitzgerald 16).