The Great Gatsby

Research Paper Information

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.”

Topics

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?

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?

Paper Requirements

Four Pages in Length: This is a minimum. Points will be deducted from the final draft if the paper does not meet the length requirements.

Four Sources: You must have at least 4 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. Make sure you check for a website’s reliability before using it as a source. 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.

Turnitin.com: Your final draft will be submitted to Turnitin.com. Class ID’s and passwords are listed below.

Class ID Password

1st period 9503277 spartans

2nd period 9503281 spartans

5th period 9503286 spartans

6th period 9503290 spartans

***Remember: No works cited page or in-text citations results in an automatic ZERO for the paper!

Works Cited Page: This must be typed. Make sure you save it on your computer because you will be turning it in twice – once by itself and then with your final draft on turnitin.com. A great resource to use for the works cited page is easybib.com. This website will help you construct to works cited page properly, as well as help you search for other related sources.

Format: Your final draft must adhere to the following requirements when submitted to turnitin.com. Failure to meet these requirements will result in a severe deduction of points.

-Times New Roman

-12 point font

-Double spaced

-Original 1 inch margins

-MLA formatting

Due Dates

-Typed Works Cited page is due Friday, February 20th

-Typed Outline is due Friday, February 27th

-Final Copy must be submitted to turnitin.com by Friday, March 6th (NO EXCEPTIONS)