Essay Topic Examples

1. The Illusion of the American Dream in 'The Great Gatsby':

     Explore the portrayal of the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' and how the relentless pursuit of wealth and status leads to downfall and disillusionment, focusing on characters like Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan.

2. Symbolism and Imagery in 'The Great Gatsby':

     Analyze the use of symbols such as the green light, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, and the Valley of Ashes. Discuss what these symbols represent in the novel and how they contribute to themes like decay, hope, and the moral emptiness of society.

3. Gender Roles and Relationships in 'The Great Gatsby':

     Examine the dynamics of gender and relationships within 'The Great Gatsby.' Contrast the different roles and expectations for men and women, as well as how characters like Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and Jordan Baker navigate their societal positions.

4. The Narrator's Perspective: Nick Carraway's Role in 'The Great Gatsby':

     Consider the reliability and influence of Nick Carraway as the story's narrator. Provide a critical assessment of how his perceptions and biases shape the narrative, and the implications of his outsider status in the events of the novel.

5. The Great Gatsby's Critique of Jazz Age Decadence:

     Evaluate Fitzgerald's critique of the decadence and moral decay of the 1920s, as epitomized by the lavish parties, excessive lifestyle, and lack of moral compass among the characters, including the impact this has on the unfolding tragedy.

Essay Title Examples

1. The Illusion of the American Dream in 'The Great Gatsby'

2. Gatsby's Green Light: Symbolism and the Pursuit of Dreams

3. Decadence and Despair: The Jazz Age in Fitzgerald's Masterpiece

4. The Facade of Opulence: Social Status in 'The Great Gatsby'

5. Unattainable Love and Eternal Hope: Jay Gatsby's Tragic Vision

Essay Hook Examples

1. In the midst of the Roaring Twenties, where decadence cloaked the hollow pursuit of happiness, F. Scott Fitzgerald unveils the tragic tale of a man consumed by the mirage of an unattainable dream.

2. They say you can't repeat the past, but Jay Gatsby spent a lifetime trying, dancing on the edge of an era that glittered with a false promise of the American Dream.

3. Behind the lavish parties and the shimmering facade of the Jazz Age, "The Great Gatsby" delves into the darker side of wealth and obsession that taints the American Dream.

4. On the surface, "The Great Gatsby" basks in the opulence of a New York summer, but dive deeper, and you'll find a turbulent sea of lost love, unfulfilled ambition, and a desperation to rewrite the past.

5. Step into the world of West Egg, where F. Scott Fitzgerald masterfully constructs a narrative of love, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of a green light that seems forever out of reach.

Thesis Statement Examples

1. In 'The Great Gatsby,' F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates the emptiness of the American Dream by showcasing the disillusionment and moral decay that underlie the apparent glamour and opulence of the Jazz Age.

2. The character of Jay Gatsby epitomizes the tragic consequences of self-reinvention and obsession, as his unyielding pursuit of Daisy Buchanan leads to his ultimate downfall in Fitzgerald's examination of 1920s America.

3. 'The Great Gatsby' presents a sharp critique of the class dynamics of the early 20th century, revealing the entrenched social barriers that prevent Gatsby's full acceptance into the established aristocracy, regardless of his wealth.

4. Through the motif of sight and the symbol of the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, Fitzgerald conveys the moral blindness of the characters in 'The Great Gatsby,' reflecting the era's disregard for the consequences of its hedonism.

5. Nick Carraway, as the unreliable narrator of 'The Great Gatsby,' provides a nuanced and subjective portrayal of the other characters, illustrating the complexity of truth and perspective during the turbulent Jazz Age.


Essay Outline Examples

I. Introduction

  1. Thesis Statement

    1. Analysis of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby
    2. Significance of the novel's setting and era
  2. Literary Framework

    1. Overview of F. Scott Fitzgerald's narrative style
    2. The use of symbolism in the novel

II. Body

  1. Characters and Characterization

    1. Study of Jay Gatsby's persona
    2. Daisy Buchanan's role and motivation
  2. Themes and Motifs

    1. Exploration of class and social status
    2. The motif of sight and Gatsby's parties
  3. ...

  4. Final reflections on the impact of The Great Gatsby

  • Implications and Final Thoughts

    1. The lasting relevance of the novel's themes
    2. Potential for a modern interpretation
  • Essay Introduction Examples

    Introduction Paragraph 1

    Published in 1925, "The Great Gatsby" is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald that has since become a classic of American literature. The story is set in the 1920s, known as the Jazz Age or the Roaring Twenties, a time of economic prosperity, social change, and excess. The novel explores themes of wealth, status, love, and the American Dream, through the eyes of the narrator, Nick Carraway, who becomes entangled in the lives of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. With its vivid descriptions of extravagant parties, complex characters, and tragic love story, "The Great Gatsby" is a timeless tale of ambition, disillusionment, and the pursuit of happiness.

    At the heart of "The Great Gatsby" is the character of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws lavish parties at his mansion on Long Island in the hopes of rekindling a romance with his former flame, Daisy Buchanan. Despite his outward displays of wealth and success, Gatsby remains an enigmatic figure, haunted by his past and consumed by his desire to win back Daisy's love. His character embodies the American Dream - the belief that anyone can achieve success and happiness through hard work and determination. However, as the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his downfall, highlighting the corrupting influence of money and power.

    Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, "The Great Gatsby" captures the excesses and contradictions of a society obsessed with wealth, status, and appearances. The novel's portrayal of the American Dream as a hollow promise, fueled by materialism and empty aspirations, remains as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago. Through the character of Jay Gatsby and his ill-fated pursuit of love and success, F. Scott Fitzgerald offers a poignant critique of the superficiality and moral decay of the Jazz Age, while also celebrating the enduring human values of love, loyalty, and hope.

    Introduction Paragraph 2

    With its intricate exploration of social class, identity, and the illusion of the American Dream, "The Great Gatsby" remains a poignant and timeless work of literature. F. Scott Fitzgerald masterfully weaves a narrative that exposes the dark underbelly of wealth and privilege, while also delving into the complexities of human relationships and desires. Through the character of Jay Gatsby, the novel probes the emptiness of material wealth and the tragic consequences of living a life based on pretense and illusion. As we follow Gatsby's relentless pursuit of the unattainable Daisy Buchanan, we are drawn into a world of glamour, deceit, and ultimately, disillusionment.

    In addition to its exploration of individual ambition and societal values, "The Great Gatsby" also offers a scathing critique of the moral decay and hypocrisy that characterized the Jazz Age. Through Nick Carraway's unflinching observations of the wealthy elite and their callous disregard for others, Fitzgerald exposes the hollowness beneath the veneer of luxury and sophistication. The novel's iconic imagery, from the dazzling lights of Gatsby's parties to the haunting eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, serves as a powerful commentary on the fractured nature of the American Dream and the illusions that people cling to in order to mask their insecurities and vulnerabilities.

    Essay Body Examples

    Paragraph 1

    Regarded as a quintessential masterpiece of American literature, "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald captures the jazz-infused fervor of the Roaring Twenties. Its pages unfold the tragic tale of Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic millionaire who epitomizes both the opulence and the futility of the American Dream. As the narrator, Nick Carraway, recounts his interactions with Gatsby and the upper crust of East and West Egg, Fitzgerald intricately weaves themes of love, idealism, and the corruption of wealth into a poignant social commentary. Set against the backdrop of Long Island's lavish mansions and New York City's speakeasies, the story charms and disquiets, inviting readers to reflect on the illusions of grandeur and the relentless pursuit of status. The essay that follows will delve into the intricate layers of symbolism, character development, and narrative technique that make "The Great Gatsby" a timeless exploration of the human condition.

    Paragraph 2

    In the landscape of American fiction, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" stands as a beacon of the hedonistic era that defined the 1920s. This literary work, replete with decadent parties and a sense of post-war disillusionment, provides immersive insight into the complexities of social stratification and the elusive nature of the American Dream. Through the eyes of the contemplative and grounded Nick Carraway, the readers are drawn into the world of the charismatic and mysterious Jay Gatsby, whose boundless quest for love and recognition ultimately serves as a mirror to the era's soul-searching decadence. As the narrative unfolds, the story traverses the dichotomy of wealth and poverty, capturing the dichotomies and tensions of a society in the throes of transformation. The following essay shall dissect the…

    Sources used in this document:
    Primary Sources


    Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.

    Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Letters of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ed. Andrew Turnbull. Scribner, 1963.

    Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Trimalchio: An Early Version of 'The Great Gatsby'. Edited by James L. W. West III, Cambridge University Press, 2000.

    Fitzgerald, F. Scott. F. Scott Fitzgerald's Ledger: A Facsimile. Edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli, University of South Carolina Press, 1972.

    Fitzgerald, Zelda. Save Me the Waltz. Southern Illinois University Press, 1981.

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