Name: _____________________________________Period: _____ Date: _______________

Gatsby and The American Dream FHS AmLit / Cannon

Choose one of the following prompts for your essay on The Great Gatsby. We’ll be in the lab for you to type and print this essay on Friday, 3/7/14. You may turn it in that day for +5 points. You may turn in a hard copy before 3:30 p.m. on 3/12/14 or electronically before midnight of Friday, 3/14/14 with no penalty. I will not accept any essays after 3:30 p.m. on Monday, 3/17/14.

A. Explain how the novel does or does not demonstrate the death of the American Dream. Is the main theme of Gatsby indeed “the withering American Dream”? What does the novel offer about American identity? (Reference the characteristics of the American Dream within the body of your paper.)

B. Explain how the novel demonstrates the characteristics of modernism.

C. Discuss how the novel exemplifies the dehumanizing/corrupting nature of wealth (consider examining characters, plot, symbols, etc.). Consider doing a Marxist interpretation. Or, more generally, explain the theme of the corruption of people and society through an examination of characters in the novel who are corrupt.

D. Describe Fitzgerald’s satirical portrait of modern society using Gatsby’s parties as support.

E. Compare and contrast the homes of characters (consider Nick, Gatsby, Tom, and George/Myrtle Wilson). How does each home to (is a symbol for) its owner/renter (how does each home reflect the personality of its renter/owner)? Consider comparing and contrasting the characters, also focusing on their attitudes/ beliefs/values.

F. Show how Fitzgerald uses clothing (and the changing of costumes) to tell the reader more about the characters and/or express theme(s). Consider discussing colors, fabrics, etc.

G. Discuss Fitzgerald’s use of symbolism (this is a large topic that must be significantly narrowed – such as focusing on one symbol and analyzing it in detail - with a specific thesis). How does it function in the novel (consider discussing how it relates to theme, communicates information about characters, develops the plot, etc.)? Possible symbols to discuss include: colors, eyes of T.J. Eckleburg, clothing, cars, the green light, biblical allusions (God, Jesus, grail), characters’ houses, weather, water, music, celestial bodies (moon, stars, planets), nature’s bounty (flowers, shrubs, trees, fruit), etc.

H. Trace the development of the narrator, Nick Carraway – how does he change, and how are these changes significant (how do they relate to the themes of the novel)?

I. Is what Gatsby feels for Daisy love, obsession, affection, or accumulation/objectification? What is Fitzgerald’s message here? Consider discussing whether or not Gatsby can really love, given his characteristics.

J. Morally ambiguous characters—characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good—are at the heart of many works of literature. Choose a character from the novel who is morally ambiguous and write an essay in which you explain how the character can be viewed as morally ambiguous and why his/her moral ambiguity is significant to the work as a whole.

K. Discuss the novel’s theme that the American Dream is corrupted by the desire for wealth. What does the novel and its theme offer about the American identity?

L. Discuss the novel’s theme that outward appearances can be deceptive. What does the novel and its theme offer about the American identity?

Name: _____________________________________Period: _____ Date: _______________

Gatsby and The American Dream FHS AmLit / Cannon

Your work will be graded by the following rubric: (Which you must turn in on top of your finished, printed essay, plus your rough draft.)

Domain 9-10: Exceeds 6-8: Meets 1-5: Doesn’t Meet Points earned:

Ideas

This is the easy part – you get to say what you think! Focus on the topic, be clear, and don’t repeat yourself!

Not only do I see that you have written on the assigned topic, but you go even deeper than asked! You provide multiple and different examples and multiple pieces of evidence to support your explanation.

I see that you have written on the assigned topic. I understand most of what you are trying to say. You do not repeat yourself. You included minimum evidence to support your explanation.

Is this the assigned topic? What are you trying to say? Why are you saying the same thing over again? Do you have any examples to support your explanation?

score _____ x 4 =

_____

Organization

This refers to how your essay is structured – Introduction/Body/ Concluding paragraphs, order of your ideas, and transitions.

Not only do you have clear introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs, but you have organized your body paragraphs so that they fully support your explanation. You have excellent transitions, not just single transition words.

You have clear introductory, body and concluding paragraphs. You write about your ideas in an order that makes sense, i.e., weakest to strongest, chronologically, etc.. You have transitions from one idea to the next.

Where are your separate paragraphs? Why is your weakest idea the last one you write about? Why do your paragraphs not include transition words, such as first, next, in addition, etc?

Score _____ x 2 =

_____

Style

Everyone has his or her own style! Put your personality into the essay, but be careful to remain appropriate for your audience (tone).

Wow! Your personality really shows! You choose words that are not only appropriate, but also effective in getting your point across. I am really interested in reading what you have to say!

I can see a glimpse of personality through your word choices and the way you structure your sentences in different ways. You choose words that are right for your audience and the topic in your writing.

Who is writing this essay? Where is your personality? Why did you choose words that do not fit the topic or the audience? Why do your sentences all start the same way?

Score _____ x 2 =

_____

Conventions

a.k.a. Grammar and Usage Don’t freak out - focus on writing complete sentences, avoiding run-ons, and using the correct forms of words. Reread your sentences to make sure they “sound” right.

Not only are your sentences grammatically correct, but you do not make any major mistakes throughout the entire essay. You show off how sophisticated your writing can be!

You have complete sentences that do not “run” into each other. You use the correct form of chosen words, and any errors that you make are few in number and not that serious.

Did you reread to make sure all your sentences are complete? Why do some sentences “run” into each other? Are you sure that is the correct form of the word?

Score _____ x 2 =

_____

(Check the essay for comments)

TOTAL: