Aphorism Essay
English 3
Name:
due
**Create a well-developed essay focusing on a general aphorism associated with a
character, using evidence from The Great Gatsby. Be sure to use specific examples not
only from the stories but also from events that were happening in America at the time –
you must include at least 3 quotes to support your discussion.
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines an aphorism as:
A terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to
corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Each character from The Great Gatsby has their own idea about society in relation to
themselves and others. Choose from the following characters to develop an aphorism
about life:
Nick Carraway
Daisy Buchannan Tom Buchannan
Myrtle Wilson
Mr. Wilson
Jay Gatsby
Jordan Baker
Meyer Wolfsheim
**The aphorism should encompass or define the character’s individual views about life
and society and is supported by their actions in the novel.
In writing your essay:
1. You want to clearly state your aphorism and relate it to the character of choice
2. Create a discussion that either proves or disproves that the character actually emulates
or personifies the aphorism using specific examples and details from the story.
3. Use quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
4. Conclusion that details the evidence provided in your discussion
5. Work Cited page of the novel
Questions to consider in validating or disproving the aphorism:
1. Think about which characters are alienated because they are different in their views or
values as compared to expectations of society.
2. How are expectations of the character/society based on evidence from the story and
evidence from American history evidence to hypocrisy?
3. Which character best illustrates the idea of freedom from those societal pressures and
expectations?
4. Do the character’s actions support or disprove the aphorism.
Essay will be evaluated on:
Introduction/attention getter
20
Body – content, specific examples, quotes
70
Conclusion
10
*** I will take off 1 point per mechanical error (spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.)
Introduction – Attention getter
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
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Thesis statement
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Transition sentence into body paragraph #1
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Supporting details for #1
1.
2.
3.
Quote to support your point:
Transition sentence into body paragraph #2
________________________________________________________________________
Supporting details for #2
1.
2.
3.
Quote to support your point:
Transition sentence into body paragraph #3
________________________________________________________________________
Supporting details for #3
1.
2.
3.
Quote to support your point:
Conclusion: