Green Light
I. Introduction: the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s dream of . . .
II. Explain the symbol
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (could be the one where Nick first sees Gatsby)
d. Reflection/analysis
III. Gatsby’s dream is Daisy and money all in one
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (could be when Gatsby sees his house in a new light when Daisy sees it for the first time)
d. Reflection/analysis
IV. Gatsby’s dream makes him a better person
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (could be the one on page 6)
d. Reflection/analysis
V. Gatsby gives up on his dream and dies
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (could be the one on page 169)
d. Reflection/analysis
VI. Gatsby is an admirable American because he is a dreamer
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (the last page of the novel)
d. Reflection/analysis
VII. Conclusion
American Dream
I. Introduction: the central theme of Fitzgerald’s novel is the futility and power of the American dream. Gatsby is a dreamer who fails to reach his dream and dies, but . . .
II. Explain Gatsby’s dream (success = Daisy = green light = wealth)
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
III. Thinks he has achieved his dream when reestablishes his relationship with Daisy
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (probably when Gatsby sees his house in a new light when Daisy sees it for the first time or the quote about how he has achieved his dream light so the symbol doesn’t mean anything any more)
d. Reflection/analysis
IV. Gatsby is more admirable because he is a dreamer
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (page 6)
d. Reflection/analysis
V. Gatsby fails to achieve his dream, but is an American icon because of it
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (last page)
d. Reflection/analysis
VI. We (Americans) should keep dreaming, keeping fighting the current because it makes us better people, because it makes us American
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (last page)
d. Reflection/analysis
VII. Conclusion (could be above paragraph)
Social Commentary
I. Introduction: Fitzgerald presents a vibrant world of wild parties, fast cars, and pulsating music just as he reveals it to truly be a wasteland . . . “as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is . . .” 169
II. Party scene
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation (cynical and gaudy party scene line)
d. Reflection/analysis
III. Cynical Daisy
e. Topic sentence
f. Context of the quotation
g. Quotation (girls should be pretty and foolish or a bored cynical line)
h. Reflection/analysis
IV. Only admirable character in the book is criminal (Gatsby)
i. Topic sentence
j. Context of the quotation
k. Quotation (could be the one on page 162-rotten crowd)
l. Reflection/analysis
V. Reality of the world without the thin polish of color is the wasteland, the valley of the ashes
m. Topic sentence
n. Context of the quotation
o. Quotation (TJ Eckleburg or dreary quotation)
p. Reflection/analysis
VI. Fitzgerald rescues us from the wasteland through Gatsby the dreamer; amongst all this superficiality is one dreamer, one iconic American . . .
q. Topic sentence
r. Context of the quotation
s. Quotation (the last page of the novel)
t. Reflection/analysis
VII. Conclusion
Gatsby vs. Tom
I. Introduction: Fitzgerald uses James Gatsby and Tom Buchanan as a foil to build his theme of ______________. List a few central differences.
II. Set as foils through their similarity
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
III. Central Difference #1 (maybe cruel vs. kind or life of leisure vs. life of striving) Tom
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
IV. Second half of Central Difference #1 (maybe cruel vs. kind or life of leisure vs. life of striving) Gatsby
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
V. Central difference #2: cynic vs. dreamer Tom
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
VI. Second half of Central difference #2: cynic vs. dreamer Gatsby
a. Topic sentence
b. Context of the quotation
c. Quotation
d. Reflection/analysis
VII. Theme developed
VIII. Conclusion