Post by mslewis on May 3, 2012 15:15:08 GMT
Great Gatsby essay plan
2010 Q6: Choose a novel in which the novelist makes use of more than one location and show how this helps the novelist to develop the central concern(s) of the text.
Line of argument – The central concern of the unachievable nature of the American dream is effectively conveyed through the novel’s use of setting to show the social class divide.
1. West Egg new house trying to be like old houses-imitations. Gatsby’s parties – over-ambition. The books in Gatsby’s library are real; he does everything he can to be authentic but will never achieve this as not born into money.
2. Over the course of the novel, Gatsby’s house decays. Dust imagery. Symbol of swimming pool.
3. East egg old houses showing wealth over many years. Contrast with G’s mansion. Green light – Gatsby’s dream. Emphasise separation between two Eggs and significance. Comparison of green light to green breast and original American Dream. G outside Buchanans’ mansion in chp 7 after Myrtle killed – symbolises his status as outsider
4. Valley of Ashes people are hurt because of upper class, contrast to East egg-inequality; no way to escape, no money. Dust imagery. Symbol of car: George doesn’t have as can’t escape. T J Eckleburg symbol: worshipping of money not God. Upper classes have corrupted original American Dream by making it materialistic. Myrtle killed by car in V of A – emphasises this.
5. New York where two classes can meet up, they end up in heated scene and do not stay in this area for long as the two classes can never be together. Pathetic fallacy – discuss.
2010 Q6: Choose a novel in which the novelist makes use of more than one location and show how this helps the novelist to develop the central concern(s) of the text.
Line of argument – The central concern of the unachievable nature of the American dream is effectively conveyed through the novel’s use of setting to show the social class divide.
1. West Egg new house trying to be like old houses-imitations. Gatsby’s parties – over-ambition. The books in Gatsby’s library are real; he does everything he can to be authentic but will never achieve this as not born into money.
2. Over the course of the novel, Gatsby’s house decays. Dust imagery. Symbol of swimming pool.
3. East egg old houses showing wealth over many years. Contrast with G’s mansion. Green light – Gatsby’s dream. Emphasise separation between two Eggs and significance. Comparison of green light to green breast and original American Dream. G outside Buchanans’ mansion in chp 7 after Myrtle killed – symbolises his status as outsider
4. Valley of Ashes people are hurt because of upper class, contrast to East egg-inequality; no way to escape, no money. Dust imagery. Symbol of car: George doesn’t have as can’t escape. T J Eckleburg symbol: worshipping of money not God. Upper classes have corrupted original American Dream by making it materialistic. Myrtle killed by car in V of A – emphasises this.
5. New York where two classes can meet up, they end up in heated scene and do not stay in this area for long as the two classes can never be together. Pathetic fallacy – discuss.