The Great Gatsby Literary Analysis Research Paper
Task: Research one of the following topics about the 1920s era and examine its role in the novel
The Great Gatsby. You will write a three-page essay that discusses the background of this topic
and then explains its portrayal in the novel.
This is a literary analysis research paper. What is a literary analysis research paper? First of all,
you will research a specific topic to find out information about it. You need to know factual,
historically accurate details about your topic so you can inform your readers. In essence, you are
comparing the depiction of the 1920s in the novel to the historical truth about the 1920s. This
process is how the paper becomes a literary analysis. To analyze something is to break it into
parts. You are going to analyze Fitzgerald’s discussion of your chosen topic in the novel and
examine its purpose/role. When we analyze literature, we often choose one particular aspect on
which to direct our focus (theme, point of view, symbols, etc.), and we ask questions about the
purpose of that tool in the work of literature.
For example, if I were analyzing Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter,
I might ask some of the following questions: What is the literal and figurative meaning of each
symbol? Why did the author include them? How do these symbols contribute to the overall
meaning of the work? How often is each symbol used/referenced in the novel, and is this number
significant? How might the symbols represent the author’s view of human nature/life?
A great analysis begins with a specific thesis about a topic, discusses that topic in detail,
provides specific evidence to support the claims of the thesis (research and quotes from the
novel), and explains the significance of that evidence in reference to the overall topic.
Note: When speaking about/referencing literature, always use the present tense. For example,
when you mention the novel, say, “Nick walks to the store,” instead of saying “Nick walked to
the store.”
Below are listed several possible topics and a few guiding questions to ask yourself as you
analyze the novel. Choose one topic about which to write.
Topics - *Keep in mind that you may have to key in several different words during your
search to find information relating to your topic:
Class Structure of the 1920s – What are the levels of class structure? Describe class structures
in the 1920s. What are some examples of class structures in the novel? Why are those characters
divided into their distinct social classes? What is Fitzgerald trying to tell readers about the
attitudes and behaviors of people from different social classes? Compare old money vs. new
money. Why is it difficult for people to ascend the social class ladder?
Prohibition – What was prohibition? Why was it instituted, and what were the effects of it?
What are some examples of the effects of /references to prohibition in the novel? How does
prohibition affect the characters in the novel? Are there any references to speakeasies or
bootleggers? What are the characters’ attitudes toward drinking alcohol and bootlegging?
Organized Crime and Its Influences – Describe organized crime. What/who does it involve?
What types of crimes do these people commit? How do they avoid being caught? What are some
effects of organized crime? What are some examples of organized crime in the novel? What
characters are responsible for these crimes? How do these crimes affect the novel’s plot/?
Lifestyle of the Fitzgeralds – The Fitzgeralds lived an extravagant lifestyle. Describe this
lifestyle. Compare the lifestyle of the Fitzgeralds to Tom and Daisy’s lifestyle and/or Gatsby’s
lifestyle. What are the similarities/differences? How does Fitzgerald mirror his lifestyle in the
novel? What are the benefits/downfalls of this lifestyle? What point might Fitzgerald be trying to
make about this way of life?
The Jazz Age – What does this term mean? How did the 1920s earn this title? Describe the
characteristics that defined the Jazz Age. Are any of these characteristics shown in the novel?
How did people behave during this time? Why did they act this way? How do the characters in
the novel portray the attitudes and behaviors of people during the Jazz Age?
Women in the 20s – What was the role of women in the 1920s? How did their
attitudes/behaviors change from previous years? Describe the central female character in the
novel, Daisy, and Jordan, a minor character. Discuss their attitudes, occupations, behaviors, etc.
Are they displayed in a positive or negative manner?
New York and Long Island in the 1920s (playground of the wealthy) – Describe the culture in
New York City and Long Island in the 1920s. What was happening in the city at that time? What
role does this location play in the novel? Discuss the main settings of the novel: East Egg, West
Egg, Valley of Ashes, and New York City. Describe the people who live in each place. What
activities/events occur in these settings?
Modernism *(This prompt requires a great depth of analysis) – Define the term modernism.
What characterized the literary period of modernism? How is the novel a work of modernism what specific elements of modernism are present?
***To best determine the role of your topic in the novel, keep a log of all instances of/references
to this topic as you read. For example, if I were researching prohibition, I would copy any quotes
about alcohol, any references to bootlegging, etc. Write the page number on which you found
the quote as a reference for an in-text citation. After each quote/reference, write a brief
explanation of its context. This process will help you later when you write the paper.
Paper Requirements:
Three Pages in Length: This is a minimum. Points will be deducted from the final draft if the
paper does not meet the length requirements.
Five Sources: You must have at least 5 sources (you may have more), and you must list each
source you use on your works cited page. The novel counts as one source. You must have at
least one additional print (non-Internet) source. Print sources include newspapers, magazines,
journals, and encyclopedias. (All sources found on Inspire count as print sources.) Make sure
you check for a website’s reliability before using it as a source. You must show me your
sources before you begin writing so I can ensure you have chosen legitimate, reliable sources.
Points will be deducted if you do not follow these steps and you include sources deemed
unreliable in your finished paper.
Websites to avoid (the list is longer, but these are a few): Wikipedia; buzzle.com; truTV; enotes;
ask.com; about.com; shmoop.com; sparknotes; pinkmonkey; cliffnotes; suite101.com. *If you
are ever uncertain about a website’s reliability, ask me for help.
Questions to ask as you research: To determine a website’s credibility, remember to look at
factors such as the website itself (Is it .gov, .edu, .com, etc.?), author, publication information,
sponsor/publisher, and content. Ask yourself: what information about my topic does this website
provide? How will I use this information in my paper?
In-text Citations: Each source must be cited at least once in your paper. Points will be deducted
if a source is listed on your Works Cited page but not cited in the body of your paper and if a
source is cited in your paper but is not listed on the WC page.
Outline: Create a “bare bones” outline of your paper at the beginning of the research process; as
you compile your research and finish the novel, fill in the outline with more specific details and
supporting research/quotes. You will also create a thesis statement during this process. Like the
outline, the thesis should become more specific as you continue the research/reading/writing
process.
Turnitin.com: Submit your rough draft to Turnitin.com and attach your originality report to
the back page before turning it in to me. Points will be deducted from your rough draft if your
originality report is not submitted on time and turned in with your rough draft.
Remember: No works cited page or in-text citations results in an automatic ZERO for the paper!
Your complete essay will include a title page, an outline, the three pages of your essay, a
works cited page, and your originality report (rough draft).
The rough draft will be graded according to the inclusion of the following categories:
length, WC page and number of sources, in-text citations, title page & outline, and
originality report.
***Email the paper to yourself, save it to your H drive, and save it to a flash drive. If you have
printer trouble at home, be prepared to print the paper before the school day begins. It will be
marked -25% if you print it off during class.
Tentative Research Schedule
*Dates are subject to change.
Steps
Due Date
Point Value
Sources
Friday 2/8
20
Thesis & Outline
Friday 2/15
20
Works Cited
Tuesday 2/19
20
Rough Draft (x2)
Friday 2/22
50
Final Draft
Tuesday 2/26
200
Typing Reminders - Refer to your Essay Formatting/Typing Instructions worksheet to set up
the title page, outline, page numbers, essay margins, and Works Cited page.