The topic is What is the novel saying about the American Dream– about what it is, what it leads to, whether it’s possible, and why or why not?The Thesis Statement is “Gatsby is able to achieve what others consider the American dream, but he is unable to achieve his ideal american dreamWrite a 4-5 page (typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, MLA-formatted) essay developing an argument about the topic. Your argument should be supported at every stage by direct textual evidence, and your close analysis of this evidence: i.e., you’ll need to use the skills we developed in your close reading presentations. When you quote the text, you should focus on what’s going on beneath the surface, on word choice and structure, as well as what the quote explicitly says.A very rough outline are attached. I am using this to help guide a 9th grader who has put together the quote and outline. If they really don’t work i can try to modify them but something along these lines would help. close as you can get to this outline would be greatI IntroductionThesis statement: In The Great Gatsby, Gatsby is able to achieve what others consider the American Dream, but he is unable to achieve his personal dream because he is trying to change who he is.II Topic sentence: Gatsby achieved what most people consider to be the American DreamEvidence: “his guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his motor-boats slid the waters of the Sound.” (39)Observation/Interpretation of the evidence: Many people’s dreams are to have what Gatsby already has. Gatsby has a huge house, lots of fancy things, and more than enough money. While Gatsby is able to achieve what most people dream of, it is not really what he wants.[[repeat Evidence/Observation-Interpretation if you have 2 or more pieces of evidence for this paragraph.]III Topic sentence: Gatsby’s personal dream is very different from the American Dream.Evidence: “Gatsby believed in the green light”Observation/Interpretation of the evidence: While many people try to keep working until they get to where Gatsby is in life, “Gatsby believed in the green light.” The green light represents a good future, and the physical and emotional distance between him and Daisy. Gatsby is already where lots of people would like to be, but he is still reaching for more.Evidence: “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.”Observation/Interpretation of the evidence: Gatsby does not care how much money he spends, as he does everything that he can to get closer to Daisy. Jordan even says that “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.” While Gatsby does have a fair amount of money now, that was not always the case.IV Topic sentence: Gatsby lies to himself and others many times throughout the novel.Evidence: lost it in the “panic of the war.”Observation/Interpretation of the evidence: Nobody really knows when Gatsby is telling the truth, but he does lie a lot, and he’s not very good at it. Gatsby tells Nick that he inherited his money, but later tells him that it took him three years to make it all. Realizing this doesn’t make sense, Nick questions this, and Gatsby replied that he lost all of his inherited money “in the panic of the war.” Gatsby lies a lot to make people think of him differently, but he made a mistake when he tried to change himself for Daisy.IV Topic sentence: Gatsby failed to achieve his personal dream because he is trying to hide who he really is.Evidence: “If you’ll invite Daisy to your house some afternoon and then let him come over.”Observation/Interpretation of the evidence: When Gatsby and Daisy first met, Gatsby lied about his wealth because Daisy had more money than him. Gatsby thought that if he could gain enough money to be in the same social class as Daisy, he would have a better chance of Daisy loving him. Once Gatsby gains a ton of wealth, in not totally known ways, he eventually invites Nick and Daisy over to his house to show off his wealth. Even though Daisy is already Married to Tom, who Daisy knows has lots of money, Gatsby continues to show a fake version of himself. This is clear, as all of Gatsby’s mansion is very fancy, except for his own room. If Daisy was to choose to marry Gatby instead, Gatsby would have to live with this lie for the rest of his life.[[repeat Evidence/Observation-Interpretation if you have 2 or more pieces of evidence for this paragraph.][Additional body paragraphs as needed]V Conclusion
