Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 2

Name: ___________________

Date: ___________________

The Great Gatsby Essay Questions


Choose one of the following prompts and write a thoughtful and well-cited
essay. Minimum 3 pages double-spaced. You must provide concrete
details from The Great Gatsby to support all of your major points. Please
follow MLA formatting throughout.
1. Analyze Gatsbys coming of age throughout the novel. What fears and
emotions does he experience as he grows from a boy in North Dakota, a
teenager, a soldier and a successful adult? How do his attitudes change as he
develops from a young boy into a young man? Cite examples of the character
changes Gatsby experiences from each stage of his life.
2. What is the message Fitzgerald is trying to convey about the materialism of
the wealthy and privileged in the novel? Does he depict a realistic and
relevant view of human nature through the wealthy characters in the novel?
Are the human qualities of each character true to life? Explain. How do the
characters convey their everyday struggles of a life filled with money?
3. One of the main themes in the novel is the pursuit of the American Dream.
Explain the similarities and differences in how Daisy, Nick, Tom and Gatsby
try to achieve their individual version of the American Dream. Which of the
characters was the most successful in achieving the American Dream?
Explain your view.
4. Interpret the feelings Jay Gatsby and Daisy have for each other before he
goes to war. Explain how you know if their feelings are authentic or
superficial? Are they truthful with one other? Explain. Compare these
emotions with how they interact later in the novel, when they meet at Nicks
invitation to tea. What regrets do they express during Daisys tea party and
after Mrs. Wilsons death?
5. The theme of Appearance and Reality is constant throughout the novel.
Analyze the lives of Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy with regard to appearances and
reality. Explain how each characters outward actions hides the reality behind
their superficiality. Contrast the superficial lives of these characters with the
honesty of Nick Carraway.
6. Many parts of the novel take place in the past. Cite instances from the past
that enhance the characters present actions. Interpret Nicks view of the past
when he says that the past cannot be repeated. Cite examples from the novel
where Nicks assessment is true.
7. The character of Jay Gatsby consists of many contradictions. Discuss these
contradictions with regard to the guests who come to his parties, his family in
North Dakota, his lifestyle while employed by Dan Cody and his attitude

toward women.
8. Fitzgerald depicts two extramarital affairs in the novel, Tom Buchanan and
Myrtle Wilson, and Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Compare and contrast
these two affairs.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi