I. Introduction A. Hook: The phrase, “The American Dream” was first openly described by historian, James Truslow Adams in his novel, The Epic of America, published in 1931. B. Introduce novel: The Great Gatsby (setting 1920s; a decade before Epic America) C. Thesis: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the characters of the novel to demonstrate how “The American Dream” was mangled into what is no longer a pursuit of happiness.
II. Body of evidence to prove thesis
A. In the beginning of the novel, Fitzgerald used character, Jay Gatsby and his famous rags-to-riches story to first represent an average American’s view of The American Dream, however Gatsby’s American Dream failed greatly.
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It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.” (Fitzgerald 89-90) 1. Description - Daisy was Gatsby’s dream; he was only in love with the idea of Daisy; his dream failed - Gatsby’s main purpose for having a rich and luxurious lifestyle was to impress Daisy - Gatsby feels that he can simply buy Daisy’s love, and that with money, the sky is the limit. - Gatsby stared at the green light at Daisy’s dock, literally reaching and yearning for her; the green light disappeared, and lost its importance to Gatsby once he was with Daisy - When Gatsby and Daisy were together, it didn’t live up to the times they had been together in the past - Jay Gatsby’s character embodied the most genuine facet of The American Dream, an infinite hope. 2. Related symbol - Daisy’s green light across