The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Research Paper
Essay background informationResearch one topic from the 1920s era and examine its role in the novel The Great Gatsby. You will write an essay that discusses the background of this topic and explains its portrayal in the novel.
This is a literary analysis research paper. What is a literary analysis research paper? First of all, you will research a specific topic to find out information about it. You will need to know factual, historically accurate details about your topic so you can inform your readers. In essence, you are comparing the depiction of the 1920s in the novel to the historical truth about the 1920s, which is how the research paper becomes a literary analysis as well. To analyze something is to break it into parts. You are going to analyze Fitzgerald’s discussion of your chosen topic in the novel and examine its purpose/role. When we analyze literature, we often choose one particular aspect on which to direct our focus (theme, point of view, symbols, etc.), and we ask questions about the purpose of that tool in the work of literature. For example, if I were analyzing Harper Lee’s use of symbolism in To Kill A Mockingbird, I might ask some of the following questions: What is the literal and figurative meaning of each symbol? Why did the author include them? How do these symbols contribute to the overall meaning of the work? How often is each symbol used/referenced in the novel, and is this number significant? How might the symbols represent the author’s view of human nature/life? |
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Thesis statement
A great analysis begins with a specific thesis about a topic, discusses that topic in detail, provides specific evidence to support the claims of the thesis (research and quotes from the novel), and explains the significance of that evidence in reference to the overall topic.
Note: When speaking about/referencing literature, always use the present tense. For example, when you mention the novel, say, “Nick walks to the store,” instead of saying “Nick walked to the store.”
Note: When speaking about/referencing literature, always use the present tense. For example, when you mention the novel, say, “Nick walks to the store,” instead of saying “Nick walked to the store.”
Topics
Below are listed several possible topics and a few guiding questions to ask yourself as you analyze the novel. Choose one topic about which to write:
- Class Structure of the 1920s – What are the levels of class structure? Describe class structures in the 1920s. What are some examples of class structures in the novel? Why are those characters divided into their distinct social classes? What is Fitzgerald trying to tell readers about the attitudes and behaviors of people from different social classes? Compare old money vs. new money. Why is it difficult for people to ascend the social class ladder?
- Prohibition – What was prohibition? Why was it instituted, and what were the effects of it? What are some examples of the effects of /references to prohibition in the novel? How does prohibition affect the characters in the novel? Are there any references to speakeasies or bootleggers? What are the characters’ attitudes toward drinking alcohol and bootlegging?
- Organized Crime and Its Influences – Describe organized crime. What/who does it involve? What types of crimes do these people commit? How do they avoid being caught? What are some effects of organized crime? What are some examples of organized crime in the novel? What characters are responsible for these crimes? How do these crimes affect the novel’s plot/?
- Lifestyle of the Fitzgeralds – The Fitzgeralds lived an extravagant lifestyle. Describe this lifestyle. Compare the lifestyle of the Fitzgeralds to Tom and Daisy’s lifestyle and/or Gatsby’s lifestyle. What are the similarities/differences? How does Fitzgerald mirror his lifestyle in the novel? What are the benefits/downfalls of this lifestyle? What point might Fitzgerald be trying to make about this way of life?
- The Jazz Age – What does this term mean? How did the 1920s earn this title? Describe the characteristics that defined the Jazz Age. Are any of these characteristics shown in the novel? How did people behave during this time? Why did they act this way? How do the characters in the novel portray the attitudes and behaviors of people during the Jazz Age?
- Women in the 1920s – What was the role of women in the 1920s? How did their attitudes/behaviors change from previous years? Describe the central female character in the novel, Daisy, and Jordan, a minor character. Discuss their attitudes, occupations, behaviors, etc. Are they displayed in a positive or negative manner?
- New York and Long Island in the 1920s (playground of the wealthy) – Describe the culture in New York City and Long Island in the 1920s. What was happening in the city at that time? What role does this location play in the novel? Discuss the main settings of the novel: East Egg, West Egg, Valley of Ashes, and New York City. Describe the people who live in each place. What activities/events occur in these settings?
- Failure to Achieve the American Dream -- Throughout Fitzgerald’s novel, the characters aspire to their own definitions of the American Dream. Money plays a prominent role in obtaining those dreams. Love, success, respect and wealth are incorporated into visions and life aspirations. One point to consider discussing consists of Gatsby’s idealization of Daisy compared with Daisy’s true character. Another point for consideration is the American dream of success, wealth and respect contrasted with Jay Gatsby’s amassing of wealth through illegal means (bootlegging) and how his instant affluence fails to gain him respect or a higher social standing.
- Modernism – Define the term modernism. What characterized the literary period of modernism? How is the novel a work of modernism - what specific elements of modernism are present? Read and analyze at least one short story example of modernism from an author other than F. Scott Fitzgerald and compare the elements in both texts.
As You read The great gatsby
To best determine the role of your topic in the novel, keep a log of all instances of/references to this topic as you read. For example, if I were researching prohibition, I would copy any quotes about alcohol, any references to bootlegging, etc. Write the page number on which you found the quote as a reference for an in-text citation. After each quote/reference, write a brief explanation of its context. This process will help you later when you write the paper.
Structural Requirements
- Three Pages in Length: This is the minimum for a paper that simply earns a D- on this assignment. Points will be deducted from the final draft if the paper does not meet the length requirements. This paper will adhere to MLA conventions for paper writing (1 inch margins, double spaced, MLA approved font, heading, etc).
- Three Sources: You must have at least 3 sources in addition to The Great Gatsby (you may have more). Each source must appear on the works cited page. The novel does not count as one source. Primary sources are encouraged. The websites must be of high quality and you are encouraged to use databases or the sources given to you by Ms. Gossling. Make sure you check for a website’s reliability before using it as a source. You must show me your sources before you begin writing so I can ensure you have chosen legitimate, reliable sources. Points will be deducted if you do not follow these steps and you include sources deemed unreliable in your finished paper.
- In-text Citations: Each source must be cited at least once in your paper. Points will be deducted if a source is listed on your Works Cited page but not cited in the body of your paper and if a source is cited in your paper but is not listed on the WC page.
- Outline: Create a “bare bones” outline of your paper at the beginning of the research process; as you compile your research and finish the novel, fill in the outline with more specific details and supporting research/quotes. You will also create a thesis statement during this process. Like the outline, the thesis should become more specific as you continue the research/reading/writing process.
Remember: No works cited page or in-text citations results in an automatic ZERO for the paper!
Process & Deadlines
Step 1: The Proposal
Before you begin writing, you must have your topic approved by Ms. Gossling. Proposals are due April 14th by the end of the day.
Step 2: Research
Utilizing your copy of The Great Gatsby, find direct quotes you can use to analyze your topic.
Then, utilize the databases to find quality primary and secondary sources to research your topic.
Take notes over each source & be sure to prepare a works cited.
Remember, you need a minimum of 3 sources PLUS The Great Gatsby to complete this assignment.
Step 3: Rough Drafts
Throughout the process, you will have rough drafts due. Make sure you are staying on top of the deadlines for these assignments.
Rough Draft of Works Cited to Ms. Gossling (Google Classroom only): April 20th (25 points)
Rough Draft of Outline to Ms. Gossling (Google Classroom only): April 24th (25 points)
Rough Draft of Paper to class -- 3 hard copies for peer revision: May 4th-5th (50 all-or-nothing points)
Final Draft of the Research Paper due Friday, May 8th (300 points)
Absolutely no late papers will be accepted after May 15th due to the proximity to the end of the year & the amount of time it takes to grade those papers. Early papers are highly encouraged & graciously welcomed.
Before you begin writing, you must have your topic approved by Ms. Gossling. Proposals are due April 14th by the end of the day.
Step 2: Research
Utilizing your copy of The Great Gatsby, find direct quotes you can use to analyze your topic.
Then, utilize the databases to find quality primary and secondary sources to research your topic.
Take notes over each source & be sure to prepare a works cited.
Remember, you need a minimum of 3 sources PLUS The Great Gatsby to complete this assignment.
Step 3: Rough Drafts
Throughout the process, you will have rough drafts due. Make sure you are staying on top of the deadlines for these assignments.
Rough Draft of Works Cited to Ms. Gossling (Google Classroom only): April 20th (25 points)
Rough Draft of Outline to Ms. Gossling (Google Classroom only): April 24th (25 points)
Rough Draft of Paper to class -- 3 hard copies for peer revision: May 4th-5th (50 all-or-nothing points)
Final Draft of the Research Paper due Friday, May 8th (300 points)
Absolutely no late papers will be accepted after May 15th due to the proximity to the end of the year & the amount of time it takes to grade those papers. Early papers are highly encouraged & graciously welcomed.
REferences
Adapted by Ms. Gossling from:
Harding, Louise. "Research Paper Topics on "The Great Gatsby" | The Classroom | Synonym." The Classroom. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2015. <http://classroom.synonym.com/research-paper-topics-the-great-gatsby-4913.html>.
Hoy, Ms. "Ms. Hoy's Website." Ms. Hoy's Website. Castle High School, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.castlehs.com/users/ahoy/english11.html>.
Hoy, Ms. "Ms. Hoy's Website." Ms. Hoy's Website. Castle High School, 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.castlehs.com/users/ahoy/english11.html>.
The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Research Paper by Ms. Hoy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.castlehs.com/users/ahoy/assignments.html.
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