Write a well-developed, text-based response of two to three paragraphs. In your response, identify a central idea in the text and analyze how the author’s use of one writing strategy (literary element or literary technique or rhetorical device) develops this central idea. Use strong, specific evidence from the text to support your analysis. Do not simply summarize the text. Be sure to: ● Identify a central idea in the text Use strong, specific evidence from the text to support your analysis ● Meet the standard for work expectations (what are some evidence page numbers that support my topic sentence)
In the text "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a central idea is the American Dream and its corruption. The author uses the literary technique of symbolism to develop this idea throughout the novel. One strong example of this is the green light at the end of Daisy's dock. This green light represents Gatsby's dream of being with Daisy and achieving the idealized version of the American Dream. Fitzgerald describes it as "minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock" (Fitzgerald 21). The fact that the light is described as "minute and far away" reveals the distant nature of the American Dream and how unattainable it can be. This symbol is present throughout the novel and shows how the corruption of Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream ultimately leads to his downfall.
Another example of Fitzgerald's use of symbolism to develop the central idea of the corrupted American Dream is the Valley of Ashes. This desolate and lifeless place represents the failure of the American Dream for those who dwell there. The author vividly describes it as "a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke" (Fitzgerald 23). This description emphasizes the decay and bleakness of this place, contrasting with the superficial and glamorous world of wealth in East and West Egg. The Valley of Ashes functions as a reminder that the American Dream is not achievable for everyone and that the pursuit of wealth and success can lead to destruction and emptiness.
In conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism as a powerful tool to develop the central idea of the corrupted American Dream in "The Great Gatsby". The green light and the Valley of Ashes are two strong examples of this literary technique. Through the green light, Fitzgerald emphasizes the unattainable nature of the Dream and how it can lead to downfall and tragedy. The Valley of Ashes, on the other hand, represents the failure and decay of the Dream for those who are not privileged. These symbols create a rich and nuanced exploration of the American Dream and its ultimate corruption in the novel.