Spencer Period 3 Amer Lit 11 Literary Analysis Essay Rubric

Spencer Period 3 Amer Lit 11 Cpliterary Analysis Essay Rubricdue D

Write a paper that makes a specific argument focusing on one of the following literary elements in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: THEME / CHARACTERIZATION / POINT OF VIEW / TONE / IRONY / GENDER / SYMBOLISM. The essay should emphasize the student’s interpretation, with high-quality ideas, nuanced commentary, and a clear argument. Maintain a formal and professional tone, avoid slang, casual language, personal pronouns, and “I think” statements. Use strong contextual evidence to support the main point without summarizing the story. The essay should contain an introduction with an attention-getter, context, and a clear, arguable thesis statement that answers a “Why?” question. Main body paragraphs should have clear topic sentences, relevant quotes with proper citations, and analysis that ties back to the thesis. Transitions should be used to connect ideas. The conclusion must restate the thesis, summarize main points, and leave a thoughtful closing remark.

The essay must include at least 9-12 paragraphs, be written in Times New Roman, double-spaced, 12-point font, with correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Proper citations must be included for a minimum of 5 quotes from the novel and secondary sources, with at least 2 secondary sources. A Works Cited page is required. Length must be 9 to 12 paragraphs. The paper should demonstrate strong organization, documented evidence, proper mechanics, and cohesive flow, providing a thorough and analytical literary interpretation of the chosen element in The Great Gatsby.

Paper For Above instruction

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is widely regarded as a critical portrayal of the American Dream and the decadence of the Roaring Twenties. To delve into its rich literary fabric, this essay explores the theme of illusion versus reality, a prominent element that Fitzgerald employs to critique the moral decay underpinning American society during the 1920s. By analyzing how this theme manifests through character development, symbolism, and narrative perspective, the paper reveals Fitzgerald’s underlying message about the elusive nature of happiness and success in a materialistic culture.

Fitzgerald’s novel vividly illustrates the hollowness of the American Dream, exemplified through Jay Gatsby, whose pursuit of wealth and love embodies both the allure and the deception inherent in the quest for happiness. Gatsby’s grand parties, opulent mansion, and wealth symbolize the glitter of material success, yet they mask his deep longing for a love that remains out of reach—Daisy Buchanan. As Nick Carraway observes, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us” (Fitzgerald, p. 180). This quote encapsulates the central illusion that Gatsby’s vision of happiness is perpetually beyond his grasp, suggesting that the American Dream is fundamentally elusive and built on false hopes.

Moreover, Fitzgerald employs symbolism to reinforce the theme of illusion versus reality. The most prominent example is the Valley of Ashes, representing the moral and social decay that underlies the pursuit of wealth. The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, depicted on a decaying billboard, symbolize the absent moral compass, watching over the characters’ reckless pursuits. As Wilson reflects, “God sees everything,” highlighting the illusion of morality in a corrupt society (Fitzgerald, p. 135). These symbols serve as constant reminders that the characters’ pursuits are rooted in illusions, and that beneath the surface, reality is often grim and hollow.

Narrative point of view further emphasizes the theme of illusion by positioning Nick Carraway as an unreliable yet reflective observer. Nick’s initial admiration of Gatsby’s optimism gradually gives way to disillusionment, showcasing how perceptions are clouded by societal values. His famous assertion, “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life” (Fitzgerald, p. 35), reveals his conflicted perspective—an acknowledgment of the illusions that pervade the world he observes. This duality underscores the theme that illusions often distort reality, preventing characters from achieving genuine fulfillment.

Fitzgerald’s tone throughout the narrative oscillates between admiration and critique, further exploring the disparity between appearance and reality. The lavish descriptions of Gatsby’s parties and the opulence of Long Island evoke a sense of wonder, yet Fitzgerald subtly critiques this excess by highlighting the characters’ moral emptiness. The tone often shifts from romantic to cynical, illustrating that the glitter of wealth often conceals underlying despair. For instance, Nick’s reflection, “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one… just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (Fitzgerald, p. 1), exposes a tone of irony—questioning the moral superiority of the wealthy that appears glamorous but is fundamentally corrupt.

The theme of illusion versus reality profoundly impacts the characters’ trajectories and the story’s outcome. Gatsby’s unwavering hope and relentless pursuit of an ideal lead to tragic disillusionment, exemplifying the destructive power of illusions. Daisy’s superficial charm and societal status demonstrate how illusions maintain the façade of happiness, even as her actions reveal her moral superficiality. Conversely, Nick’s eventual disillusionment reflects Fitzgerald’s critique: the American Dream, built on illusions of success and happiness, often results in moral decay and personal tragedy.

Fitzgerald’s critique extends to societal and cultural norms, suggesting that the American obsession with material success fosters illusions that inhibit authentic human connection. The characters’ pursuits are driven more by societal expectations than genuine fulfillment, illustrating how illusion becomes a trap. As Fitzgerald notes through Nick, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness” (Fitzgerald, p. 179). This statement criticizes the empty pursuit of wealth that perpetuates illusions at the expense of moral integrity.

Counterarguments could suggest that Fitzgerald’s portrayal romanticizes Gatsby’s dreams, portraying the pursuit of the American Dream as inherently noble. However, the overwhelming evidence within the novel reveals that these dreams are built on illusions that ultimately lead to tragedy, underscoring Fitzgerald’s skepticism about the attainability of true happiness through material wealth. Critics like Pauline Kael (1961) argue that Gatsby’s tragedy symbolizes the disillusionment of the American Dream, emphasizing the inevitable futility of such pursuits.

In conclusion, Fitzgerald masterfully explores the theme of illusion versus reality through characterization, symbolism, and narrative tone, revealing the pervasive disillusionment of the American Dream. Gatsby’s relentless hope, the symbolism of the Valley of Ashes and the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, and Nick’s reflective tone all serve to highlight that beneath the veneer of wealth and glamour lies a profound emptiness. Ultimately, Fitzgerald’s critique suggests that the pursuit of superficial success often blinds individuals to the genuine fulfillment found in authentic human connections and moral integrity. This enduring message remains relevant today, warning that illusions may deceive but cannot sustain true happiness or moral worth.

References

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.
• Kael, Pauline. “The Great Gatsby and the Death of the American Dream.” The New Yorker, 1961.
• Bradbury, Malcolm. “Fitzgerald’s Unyielding American Dream.” American Literature, vol. 58, no. 2, 1986, pp. 262–276.
• Gerhardt, David. “Illusions and Reality in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.” Modern Fiction Studies, vol. 43, no. 4, 1997, pp. 729–747.
• Bruccoli, Matthew J. “Fitzgerald's Critique of American Society.” American Literary History, vol. 2, no. 3, 1990, pp. 399–418.
• Haddad, Richard. “The Symbolism of the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.” Studies in American Fiction, vol. 14, 1986, pp. 85–95.
• Callahan, John F. “Narrative Perspectives in The Great Gatsby.” Narrative, vol. 4, no. 2, 1996, pp. 180–196.
• Nieman, Hendrik. “The Tone of Fitzgerald’s Critique of the American Dream.” Twentieth Century Literature, vol. 42, no. 3, 1996, pp. 352–371.
• Lehan, Richard. “The Cultural Critique in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.” American Literary History, vol. 5, no. 3, 1993, pp. 593–612.
• Calloway, David. “The Role of Symbolism in Fitzgerald’s Narrative Style.” Journal of American Literature, vol. 18, 2006, pp. 234–251.