The Great Gatsby Chapter Three Group Essay
Add commentary to make this essay better. You do not need to fix all of the
other errors or problems that this essay may have; just add commentary.
DUE Wed/Thursday.
Have you ever had a conversation with a complete stranger who
you’re not quite sure about but you are strangely impressed by? That’s what
it’s like for Nick in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Even though
Gatsby gets revealed in his grand entrance at the party, mystery still
surrounds his character as the chapter progresses. Despite the fact that
Gatsby is mysterious, Nick is impressed with his brilliance. [Which one of
these sentences is your thesis?]
We agree that Gatsby had a grand entrance. “Fitzgerald gives Gatsby
a suitably grand entrance as the aloof host,” is one of the Gatsby experts’
arguments. We believe this is true because Nick was having a conversation
with him before he knew it was Gatsby [so, how is this ‘grand’? Explain
how this relates to your thesis; it seems like in your thesis you will relate this
grand entrance to the mystery surrounding Gatsby, but you don’t make that
connection here]. In Chapter 3, Gatsby states, “I thought you knew old
sport. I’m afraid I’m not a very good host.” This shows how Fitzgerald
creates an environment to give Gatsby a grand entrance [It does? How?
You have to show this, not just tell. Explain how Gatsby not being a good
host make a grand entrance].
We also agree with the Gatsby expert that mystery surrounds Gatsby’s
character. The Gatsby expert argues, “This chapter continues to heighten the
sense of mystery and enigma that surrounds Gatsby.” We agree with the
statement because in the chapter, Nick doesn’t know who he is talking to
until he brings up Gatsby. After Gatsby gave Nick the reassuring smile,
Nick realizes “I’d got the strong impression that he was picking his words
with care.” This shows how Gatsby might be hiding something from Nick
[good, but tie this back to your topic sentence; explain how ‘picking his
words with care’ adds to the mystery; explain how ‘hiding something’ adds
to the mystery].
Although Nick didn’t know everything about Gatsby, what he
revealed impressed him. The Gatsby expert argues, “This belief in the
brilliance of the future impresses Nick.” This quote is proven when Gatsby
gave him an understanding smile. Nick states that it is a “rare smile with a
quality of eternal reassurance in it.” This shows how based on what little
information Nick knows, he is impressed with Gatsby [again, you are telling
instead of showing; get rid of ‘this shows’; instead, explain how the rare
smile impresses Nick; how does the smile relate to the ‘brilliance of the
future’?].
Add a conclusion