What is the American Dream?
• “The traditional social ideals of the United States, such as
equality, democracy, and material prosperity.” – Google
• “That dream of a land in which life should be better and
richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each
according to ability or achievement.”- James Truslow
Adams
• “To every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden
opportunity … the right to live, to work, to be himself, and
to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can
combine to make him.” – Thomas Wolfe
Challenges to the American
Dream
• “The trouble with our American Dream infatuation [obsession]
is that it transcends these common-sense boundaries. It has
become a substitute for addressing real problems and a
collective act of self-deception.” – Robert Samuelson
• “Domination is at the heart of the American Dream … we must
face the brokenness of our world. Only then can we embrace
the anguish of the American Dream and confront honestly our
moment in history.” – Robert Jensen
• “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life is a tragic example of both sides of the
American Dream – the joys of young love, wealth and success,
and the tragedies associated with excess and failure.”
How do you think The American Dream
connects to The Great Gatsby?
Describe how the American Dream
appears in The Great Gatsby in one
adjective.
Adjectives: ideal, complicated,
straightforward, prominent, flawed,
flawless
Share your word with your neighbor.
Theme is…
… a view or perspective on people or the world.
… implicit [implied/understood]. You have to
interpret it by analyzing characters, language,
setting, plot, or details in fiction.
… open to interpretation and debate. You may
or may not agree with an author’s
perspective.
… an author’s attempt to connect with you as a
fellow human being.
Example Theme Statements
• “We sometimes tend to see the world the way we
want it, but we often don’t see how the world truly is.”
• “The American Dream sometimes can be stressful.
People can have everything they want, but they can
have problems with their lives that can’t be fixed.”
• “The American Dream conflicts with human nature and
therefore generates more problems than it solves.”
• “The American Dream is about fulfilling what you want
to become. It doesn’t always make happiness.”
• “The American Dream is and will be clouded with
greed and corruption, but you can’t give in to them if
you wish to fully achieve.”
Theme is NOT…
… a moral or lesson. Authors aren’t trying to tell
you what to do.
… cliché. Life may be like a box of chocolates, but
The Great Gatsby’s theme isn’t.
… explicit. You cannot pick a single excerpt from
The Great Gatsby and say, “THIS IS THE THEME!”
You have to interpret it.
… always clear-cut or straightforward. This is why
people write papers about literature. There are
many ways to interpret a novel.
Theme Statements
• A theme statement clearly identifies a
perspective on humankind or the world.
• A theme statement “lives beyond the text,”
although you need to analyze text to write it.
• Example: “Long-held beliefs and values rarely
change unless stimulated by a dramatic event.”
• Example: “A child’s sense of identity comes from
interacting with others. If no positive role model
is available, the child may never reach his/her
true potential.”
How do I write a theme statement?
• Keep your statement general. Don’t allude to
The Great Gatsby.
• Use your own words.
• Express an “insight” about life, the world, or
humankind.
• Use words like “sometimes,” “can,” “may,” and
“often.” Theme statements aren’t absolute or
final.
• Avoid second person (e.g., “you,” “your”)
Analysis Essay Prompt
You will write an essay in which you analyze
Fitzgerald’s portrayal of one character and at
least two literary elements to convey a
message about the American Dream. You
must include a theme statement regarding the
American Dream in your introduction as part
of your thesis statement.
What’s a thesis statement?
• A simple and clear statement of your
argument
• The central idea of your analysis
• A “guide” for your paper
• The concise answer to a prompt’s question
Adapted from Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Services
How do I write a good thesis statement?
• Take a stand!
• Make me want to read your paper. Justify
discussion.
• Discuss ONE main idea.
– HINT: Fitzgerald’s message about the American Dream
• Be specific!
Adapted from Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Services
Which is better? Why?
World hunger has many causes and effects.
v.
Hunger persists in Belize because jobs are scarce
and farming in the infertile soil is rarely
profitable.
Credit: Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Services
Which is better? Why?
F. Scott Fitzgerald complicates the American Dream
with flawed and unfulfilled characters in The
Great Gatsby.
v.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s message about the American
Dream is that it’s bad.
Credit: Indiana University’s Writing Tutorial Services
What are literary elements?
• Examples from The Great Gatsby:
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Irony
Setting
Color/imagery
Motifs
Language
Symbols
Foreshadowing
Flashback
Narration (shifts and unreliability)