Analysis Dos and Don’ts
Thesis statement: Through the rise and fall of his characters, Fitzgerald criticizes the contemporary American
dream as being based solely in money and material goods; ultimately, he suggests the negative consequences of
following that dream.
When incorporating text:
 Do not use the phrases “Nick’s quote” or “The quote that Daisy has…” because it’s not a quote in the
novel, it’s part of the plot. Incorporate the quotation as if it’s happening at this moment. For example:
Bad: The quote that Nick uses towards the end of the novel states, “They are careless people, Tom and
Daisy…”
Good: Nick discloses his opinion of Tom and Daisy as abject individuals toward the end of the novel:
“They are careless people…”
 In the word “discloses,” you capture the purpose of his statement rather than just telling the reader
he says it.
 It is addresses what he’s doing, not just that he’s doing it. Showing vs. telling.
When analyzing text:
 Again, do not merely tell the reader that the statement demonstrates or supports the theme. Show how!!!
For example, using the following quotation:
“They are careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into
their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together” (Fitzgerald 188).
Bad: This quote demonstrates the theme because it shows how money corrupts people.
o WHY: Very vague; “shows” is a weak verb/descriptor; no breakdown of the quote itself; no
connection to overall argument of criticism of the American Dream.
Good: In Nick’s assessment of Tom and Daisy as “careless,” there is the implication that money has
corrupted them and does so to most individuals, underscoring Fitzgerald’s criticism of the modern
American Dream.
o WHY: Picks out the wording of the quote – “careless” and relates it to the characters’ view
of/interaction with money, directly connecting the words and indicating a negative relationship
between them.
o Takes it one step further to relate back to thesis of Fitzgerald’s purpose for the novel as a criticism
of the American Dream.
In continuing this discussion:
Nick discloses his opinion of Tom and Daisy as abject individuals toward the end of the novel:
“They are careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back
into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together” (Fitzgerald 188). In
Nick’s assessment of the Buchanan’s as “careless,”1 there is the implication that money has corrupted them,
underscoring Fitzgerald’s criticism of the modern American Dream2. From the start, Fitzgerald paints the
Buchanans’ as money driven individuals, as Tom superciliously presents his “Georgian Colonial mansion”
(11) to Nick, and Daisy claims to have been “everywhere and seen everything and done everything” (22).
Yet, in this final characterization of the elite duo, Fitzgerald expands Nick’s observation beyond just Tom
and Daisy; there is a generalized accusation in the comment to all those who are wealthy and bound
together by the safety the money provides. This was initially suggested when Gatsby first courted Daisy
and “Gatsby was overwhelmingly aware of the youth and mystery that wealth imprisons and preserves”
(157).3 Again, the exclusivity of the rich is noted with promising word choice, “youth” and “mystery,” but
it is immediately followed by the harsh notion of imprisonment and immovability. Fitzgerald’s message is
clear: money has given the wealthy privilege, but it has stripped them of enjoyment and empathy4.
Notice:
 It’s not in chronological order (because analysis allows you to jump around as long as you provide adequate
context)
 It specifically discusses this quotation: its wording, its meaning, its connections to other events.
 It includes Fitzgerald’s message/purpose, since that was included in the thesis statement.
Footnotes:
1. Specific reference to quotation being supported.
2. Specific connection to thesis statement.
3. Additional textual support given to set up the connection between money and corruption (thesis)
4. Here, I have summarized who the Buchanan’s are and tied my statement back to the idea of “careless”
because they lack the ability to care, or empathize with those unlike themselves.