I am writing a paper on the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and my thesis is "In the Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows us that material obsession often leads to the decay of ones soul." Does anyone know anywhere i can find sources relating to the Great Gatsby that I can use to back up my thesis statement?
Start here: http://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en&tab=ws
This is one of the best places to search for academically acceptable resources.
Here's another for literary criticism:
http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/
SparkNotes may be able to help
To find sources relating to your thesis statement, "In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows us that material obsession often leads to the decay of one's soul," there are several avenues you can explore:
1. Library databases: Start by accessing online databases available through your school or local library. Popular ones include JSTOR, ProQuest, and Academic Search Complete. These databases allow you to search for scholarly articles, literary analyses, and critical essays specifically about The Great Gatsby or themes related to material obsession.
2. Google Scholar: This is a search engine for scholarly literature. Try searching for keywords like "Great Gatsby materialism," "Fitzgerald analysis of material obsession," or other relevant phrases. Google Scholar will display academic papers, articles, and books written by experts, which can provide valuable sources for your paper.
3. Literary criticism books: Look for books that offer literary criticism and analysis of The Great Gatsby. These books often delve into various themes explored in the novel, including materialism and its impact on characters' souls. Visit your library or search online bookstores for titles like "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations: The Great Gatsby" edited by Harold Bloom or "Critical Insights: The Great Gatsby" edited by Robert Beuka.
4. Literary journals and magazines: Check literary journals like The Explicator, The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review, or The Journal of Popular Culture. These publications frequently feature scholarly articles and critical essays on classic literary works like The Great Gatsby. Visit library databases or search online for specific articles that address materialism and the decay of the soul in the novel.
5. Online academic repositories: Some universities have online repositories where faculty, scholars, and students share their research papers and theses. These repositories often provide free access to a wide range of academic materials. Look for repositories associated with prestigious universities and search for papers that focus on The Great Gatsby's themes.
Remember to critically evaluate the sources you find, considering their credibility, relevance, and the author's expertise. Also, make sure to cite your sources properly in your paper using the appropriate citation style (such as MLA or APA) as required by your instructor.