What does F. Scott Fitzgerald suggest about the state of the American Dream, the people who pursue it, and the impact of that pursuit through his depiction of Jay Gatsby and the people in Gatsby’s life? Include specific examples, quotations, and supporting details from the novel in your response. Do not merely summarize the story. I need help making a thesis for this prompt.
What is YOUR OPINION or stance or position about all this?
Your thesis statement must include factual information (which you already have) plus your position/opinion/stance. Without your position on the topic, you won't have a true thesis statement. So think of this sentence as the angle you want to take on the topic and what you intend to prove by the end of your paper. (If your statement is simply factual, then there's nothing to prove!)
http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/thesistatement.html
This is one of the very best places I've seen online to help students write good thesis statements. It shows you sentences that aren't thesis statements and how to turn each one into real thesis statements.
To develop a thesis for this prompt, you need to analyze F. Scott Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American Dream, as well as his depiction of Jay Gatsby and the people surrounding him in the novel. Here's a step-by-step guide to formulate your thesis:
1. Read the novel: Begin by thoroughly reading "The Great Gatsby." Take notes and highlight passages that address the American Dream, Gatsby's pursuit of it, and its impact on him and others.
2. Identify prominent themes: Consider the themes Fitzgerald explores throughout the novel. These may include the corruption of the American Dream, the illusion of wealth and success, the emptiness of materialism, and the disillusionment of love and relationships.
3. Analyze Gatsby's character: Examine Jay Gatsby's motivation and relentless pursuit of the American Dream. Pay attention to how his actions, extravagant parties, and wealth reflect his desire for social status and acceptance in upper-class society.
4. Explore Gatsby's relationships: Analyze Gatsby's relationships with other characters, such as Daisy Buchanan, Nick Carraway, and Tom Buchanan. Look for instances where their interactions reveal their own desires for wealth, social validation, or the emptiness experienced as a result of their pursuit of the American Dream.
5. Consider Fitzgerald's message: Based on your analysis of Gatsby, his relationships, and the overall themes of the novel, consider what Fitzgerald suggests about the state of the American Dream, the people who pursue it, and the impact of that pursuit. Look for evidence that supports your interpretation.
Example thesis statement: In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays the American Dream as a corrupted ideal, illustrating through Jay Gatsby and the characters in his life how the relentless pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to disillusionment, moral decay, and the ruination of one's true self. One quote that supports this interpretation is when Nick Carraway reflects on Gatsby's pursuit, stating, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...And one fine morning—" (Fitzgerald, 180). This quote exemplifies Gatsby's unattainable dream and the tragic consequences that follow when one becomes consumed by the pursuit of wealth and validation.
Remember, this thesis is just a starting point. Use the evidence you have gathered from the novel to strengthen and refine your argument, ensuring that it reflects your unique interpretation of Fitzgerald's message about the American Dream in "The Great Gatsby."