196 The Great Gatsby Essay Titles and Examples

Looking for some creative titles for The Great Gatsby essay? There are many themes to explore about this novel. We offer you The Great Gatsby essay examples about symbolism, character analysis, the style of the novel, and many other topics.

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  • Analysis of the Shirt Scene in “The Great Gatsby” Film
  • The Clock as a Symbol in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Daisy Buchanan: “I Did Love Him Once, but I Loved You, Too”
  • Tom and Gatsby: Compare and Contrast Essay
  • The Great Gatsby Reflection Paper
  • The Great Gatsby: Analysis and Feminist Critique The feminist critique is an aspect that seeks to explore the topic of men domination in the social, economic, and political sectors.
  • Silver & Gold: Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby Although the color palette presented in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is rich, the problem of differing social status is most vividly described in the novel through the use of golden and silver colors that stand […]
  • Nick as the Narrator in The Great Gatsby Therefore, his connection with the Gatsby’s story is that he is depended upon to serve as the mouthpiece of the older generation as he metaphorically transcends through time to retell the Great Gatsby tale accurately […]
  • Autobiographical Elements in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The story is set during the roaring twenties, a period of significant social and cultural change, and it incorporates many of the author’s personal experiences, feelings, and perceptions of the time.
  • Daisy’s Character Study in “The Great Gatsby” The argument is that the author attempts to describe her as a pure and innocent female to ensure that the reader understands the perspective of Jay, but particular aspects of her true identity are revealed […]
  • American Culture in the Novel “The Great Gatsby” In The Great Gatsby, Scott Fitzgerald documents these changes through an in-depth exploration of cultural changes such as the rise in consumerism, materialism, greed for wealth, and the culture of loosening morals in the 1920s […]
  • The Great Gatsby and Winter Dreams by Scott Fitzgerald In this analysis, the researcher will try to confirm the argument that the Great Gatsby was a continuation of the Winter Dreams.
  • Why is Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby a Satire? Another aspect of satire in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is the wealth associated with Gatsby, as the reader observes in chapter two.
  • “The Great Gatsby” Film by Baz Luhrmann The Great Gatsby is a film that stars Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Tom Buchanan, and the Southern Belle Daisy. The influence of the past comes out throughout the course of the film.
  • Gatsby & Nick in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a novel of vibrant characters, and paradox is one of the main themes of the book. Even though Daisy and Tom are married, Nick agrees to help Gatsby be with the […]
  • ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Literature Comparison Stella is a devoted wife struggling to make her marriage work, even though her husband Stanley, subjects her to a lot of pain and suffering.
  • Female Characters in A Streetcar Named Desire & The Great Gatsby: Comparative It can be seen in the case of Stella and Daisy wherein in their pursuit of what they think is their “ideal” love, they are, in fact, pursuing nothing more than a false ideal that […]
  • The Corrupted American Dream and Its Significance in “The Great Gatsby” The development of the American dream and its impact on the society of the United States is a pertinent topic of discussion for various authors.
  • The American Dream in The Great Gatsby After spending some time in this neighborhood, Nick finally attends Gatsby’s exuberant parties only to realize that Gatsby organizes these parties to impress Daisy, Nick’s cousin, and wife to Tom.
  • The Great Gatsby All these characteristics of America during 1920 are evident and inherent in the main character, Jay Gatsby, in the novel The Great Gatsby. This is one of the themes in the novel The Great Gatsby.
  • Jay Gatsby: The Great Fool or the Unfortunate Genius The main idea of the work is to show the unfairness of the fate of a poor young man who cannot marry the girl he loves.
  • Babylon Revisited & The Great Gatsby: Motifs & Themes When he pleads his case to the guardians of Honoria, his sister-in-law Marion, and her husband, he continually evades his escapades of the past and recounts his hard work and sincerity of the present.
  • Time as a Theme in The Great Gatsby The embodiment of these negative aspects comes in the form of Gatsby and his life, which in the end is seen as hollow and empty, just as the morals and values of the characters seen […]
  • Fairy Tale Traits in The Great Gatsby Basing on the several evident parameters, for instance, the character traits, the behavior of prince and princess, and gender distinctions amongst others, Fitzgerald’s masterwork stands out as a variation and sophisticated version of the fairy […]
  • Fitzgerald’s American Dream in The Great Gatsby & Winter Dreams To my mind, Winter Dream is a perfect example of the American Dream, since the main hero, Dexter, implemented each point of it, he was persistent and very hard-working, he was a very sensible and […]
  • The American Dream Roles in The Great Gatsby: Pursuers, Pursued, and the Disillusioned Nick’s narration of events throughout these two chapters dismantles the belief of the American Dream where ‘anyone can pull themselves up from their bootstraps’, because in reality it only yields four groups of people: “.the […]
  • Use of Image in “The Great Gatsby” Novel by Fitzgerald In the future, the author uses this symbol to express Gatsby’s attitude to the image that he created in his head, and which went out by the end of the work.
  • Architecture in “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald From this perspective, the case of Gatsby’s mansion is a symbolic call for leaving behind the anachronistic ideas of aristocracy and embracing American ideals.
  • The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald Review Gatsby’s dream to become wealthy to gain Daisy’s attention “is simply believable and is still a common dream of the current time”. However, Gatsby is the story’s main character and is a “personification” of the […]
  • Fertile Questions: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald The two fertile questions arising from the novel are: what are political and economic impacts of the World War I? and what are the challenges faced by American students born from poor families post-World War […]
  • Tom and George in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby At the same time, the motives of Tom and George’s behavior differ due to their backgrounds, origins, and belonging to different social classes.
  • “The Great Gatsby”: The American Dream in the Jazz Age The Jazz Age is a period in the history of the United States of America from the end of World War I to the beginning of the Great Depression due to the remarkable popularity of […]
  • Women’s Role in “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald Though the women in the novel are depicted as careless, treacherous, and selfish, the author uses them to underscore the power of the will to rebel against societal norms in pursuit of happiness.
  • “The Great Gatsby Directed” by Baz Luhrmann This is due to the fact that the film is an indirect adaptation of Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald’s book “The Great Gatsby”.
  • Novel Analysis: The Great Gatsby and Siddhartha Hesse’s Siddhartha seems complementary to The Great Gatsby as Brahman, the main role in Siddhartha, finds contentment in self-realization and not in money, sensuality, and love.
  • Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’, Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’ and the American Dream “The America Dream’ is a longstanding common belief of the American population that in the United States, people are free to realize the full potential of their labor and their talents and every person in […]
  • “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald Who will take care of the dead creatures seems not to be in Tom’s order of what to bother him and together with the wife is comfortable enjoying their wealth while the creatures are rotting […]
  • Characters in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” The author presents challenges faced in the society as a result of the mixture racial and gender discrimination that a young black girl goes through in search of her dream and personal identity.
  • Greene’s “Our Man in Havana” and “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald It is imperative to realize that the purpose of the paper is not to carry out a critical analysis of the plays but to carry out a comparison of the attributes in which they relate […]
  • What Money Cannot Buy: ‘The Great Gatsby’ Book by F. S. Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby is a book that unveils the instrumental role of the social aspect of life among people; which not only concentrates on the economic part of it.
  • “The Great Gatsby” by Baz Luhrmann The filmmakers never stop depicting Gatsby’s wealth and his otherness. He throws money around and he is a topic of heated debates in the society.
  • First-Person Narrative in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” Joyce’s “The Boarding House,” Bowen’s “The Demon Lover” In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Joyce’s short story “The Boarding House,” and the Scottish poem The Demon Lover, the first-person narrative is used differently to achieve the authors’ objectives and create a comprehensive picture of […]
  • First-Person Narrative in Bowen’s ”The Demon Lover,” Updike’s ”A&P,” Fitzgerald’s ”The Great Gatsby” In this work, the unworked, repressed experience of the First World War is personified and embodied in the image of the ghost of a person who died in this war.
  • “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald: Betrayal, Romance, Social Politics and Feminism This work seeks to outline the role of women in the development of the plot of the book and in relation to the social issues affecting women in contemporary society.
  • Jay Gatsby, Jean Valjean and Henry Fleming: The Compare and Contrast Analyses of the Characters The way the characters of the main protagonists are revealed in the novel is one of the most important things in every piece of literature.
  • “The Great Gatsby” Novel by Francis Scott Fitzgerald However, what the reader should acknowledge is that the author manages to present a wholesome and clear image of the issues and occurrences that defined the United States throughout the 1920s.
  • The Great Gatsby’ by Scott Fitzgerald Literature Analysis This is one of the details that can be identified. This is one of the issues that can be singled out.
  • Political Satire in American Literature Scott Fitzgerald was one of the more famous satirists of the time, particularly in his production of the work The Great Gatsby.
  • The Dilemmas of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby is a story of a young man in the early twentieth century who seems to know what he wants in the way of that dream and what to do to achieve it.
  • The Great Gatsby – Love, Wealth, and Illusion In the novel, the fictional village of West Egg is perhaps one of the key items that symbolize the life of the new millionaires in the city.
  • ‘The Great Gatsby’: Tom and Blanche Like Tom, Blanche in the book of Street Car Named Desire, is loyal to her sister who is the only member of her family that we come across.
  • Gatsby & Jean Valjean He is a mysterious person, and no one exactly knows his origins and the ways he used to acquire his fortune.
  • The Ethicality of an Action Jay Gatsby As well, an action is “wrong” if it results in the opposite of happiness to the people. Mill’s utilitarian theory can be used to assess the ethically of Jay Gatsby’s action, as presented in the […]
  • Francis Scott Fitzgerald & His American Dream In the novel “Tender is the Night,” Fitzgerald describes the society in Riviera where he and his family had moved to live after his misfortune of late inheritance.
  • Jay Gatsby & Eponine From Les Miserables: Compare & Contrast Gatsby is the main character in the book “The Great Gatsby,” while Eponine is one of the characters in the book “Les Miserables”.
  • Jay Gatsby & Gean Valjean: Characters Comparison This essay compares and contrasts the characters of Gatsby and Jean Valjean in the Les Miserable novels and films. Gatsby strikes the readers as a na ve and lovesick individual though his character is negative.
  • Jay Gatsby and Valjean in ‘Les Miserables’: Comparative Valjean’s life contains a series of misfortunes in the sense that he has to hide his true identity. Most of the people in his life were there just for convenience and for the fact that […]
  • The Idea of Love in The Great Gatsby and the Parallels or Contrasts That Can Be Drawn With the Presentation of Love in The Catcher in the Rye Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Jerome Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, it is possible to state that the notion of love is presented there similarly even though the texts are absolutely different and […]

The best way to keep your readers’ attention is by using catchy hooks. Here are the best examples of hooks for The Great Gatsby essays together with corresponding topics:

  • Topic: Tom vs Gatsby: The Great Gatsby character analysis and comparison. Hook: After finishing Fitzgerald’s novel, most readers ask themselves about why Daisy decides to stay with Tom despite his multiple negative characteristics. What’s so special about him that Gatsby doesn’t have?
  • Topic: The Great Gatsby and why he is so great. Hook: I remember how my elderly neighbor always called everyone “old sport,” which always reminded me of Gatsby. Just like the character, he had his flaws but knew how to dream, which made him a great person.
  • Topic: The main differences in Nick’s narration style when he’s with Jordan in The Great Gatsby . Hook: “There was Jordan beside me, who, unlike Daisy, was too wise ever to carry well-forgotten dreams from age to age,” is a quote highlighting Jordan’s personality. When Nick’s with her, he becomes as cautious as she is.
  • Topic: The real-life places and people as inspiration for The Great Gatsby . Hook: Beacon Towers, the Long Island mansion that had 140 rooms and was demolished in 1945, might have been an inspiration for Fitzgerald’s novel.
  • What Are the Literary Devices Used to Create the Image of Jay Gatsby?
  • Analyze How Fitzgerald Uses Imagery in the Great Gatsby
  • What Do Colors Symbolize in the Great Gatsby?
  • How Does Fitzgerald Use Geographical Setting to Show the Contrast Between Social Classes in the Novel?
  • How Does Fitzgerald Convey a Notion of the American Dream Through Metaphors and Symbols?
  • What Does the Green Light in Daisy’s Window Represent in the Great Gatsby?
  • What Does the Valley of Ashes Symbolize in the Great Gatsby?
  • What Role Does Nick Carraway’s Narration Play in the Story? If We Got It Through an Omniscient Third-Person Narrator, What Would We Gain or Lose?
  • Could the Story Have Been Set in Other Places, Like Chicago or Los Angeles, or Were New York City and Long Island Absolutely Necessary?
  • Look at the Novel’s Opening Lines. If We Accept Nick’s Advice When We Read the Story, Will Our Views of It Change? Or, in Other Words, Does Refraining From Criticism Promote Compassion?
  • Is There a Hidden Meaning of the Title of the Great Gatsby? What Is It?
  • How Is the Color White Used Within the Novel? When Does It Make a False Representation of Innocence? When Does It Truly Represent Innocence?
  • What Is the Role of a New York Setting in the Novel’s Storyline?
  • What Is the Real Meaning of ‘Great’ in the Title of the Great Gatsby?
  • What Significance Do Colors Have in the Party’s Descriptions in Chapter 3?
  • Elaborate on the Green Light as the Symbol of the American Dream
  • What Is the Meaning of the Phrase “Can’t Repeat the Past?.. Why of Course You Can!” What Does Gatsby Really Want From Daisy?
  • What Role Do the Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg Play in the Great Gatsby?
  • How Is the Great Gatsby a Satirical Representation of the Society?
  • Are the Rich in the Novel Really So Careless as Everyone Believes Them to Be?
  • Create an Alternative Ending for the Great Gatsby. Justify Your Choice
  • What Is the Relationship Between Those Born Rich and Those Who Became Rich in the Novel?
  • Discuss Female Characters and Their Significance in the Great Gatsby
  • Compare Gatsby and Wilson. In What Ways Are They Similar?
  • Who Is the Most Responsible for Gatsby’s Death? Why Is It So?
  • Why Do Tom and Daisy Stay Together at the End of the Novel?
  • Does Gatsby’s Money Bring Him Real Happiness?
  • Can Jay’s Feelings for Daisy in the Great Gatsby Be Considered Love?
  • How Do Secondary Characters Affect the Story?
  • Who Is the Real Hero in the Great Gatsby?
  • Can We Call Jay Gatsby a Romantic Hero or a Villain?
  • What Does Jay Gatsby Really Live For in the Novel: the Present or the Past?
  • Compare Myrtle and Daisy
  • What Does Tom’s Quarrel With Myrtle in Chapter 2 Tell Us About His Personality?
  • Elaborate on How Both Tom and Gatsby Want to Change Not Only the Future, but the Past in Chapter 7.
  • What Was Gatsby’s Power of Dreaming Like? Was Daisy a Worth Object?
  • Is Anyone to Blame for Gatsby’s Death?
  • Are There Any Moral Characters in the Novel?
  • Can Jordan and Daisy Be Considered Perfect Role Models for the Upper Class in America? Why or Why Not?
  • Is Gatsby Really Great? In What Way? How Does His Greatness Evolve as the Plot Unfolds?
  • How Does Nick’s Character Change over the Course of the Great Gatsby?
  • Does Gatsby Deserve the Definition of a Self-Made Man? Why or Why Not?
  • What Role Does Daisy Play in the Conflict Between Gatsby & Tom?
  • Describe How F.S. Fitzgerald’s Life Experiences Influenced the Great Gatsby
  • What Are the Central Themes in the Great Gatsby?
  • What Roles Do Fidelity and Infidelity Play in Fitzgerald’s the Great Gatsby?
  • What Importance Does Sex Have in the Story?
  • What Role Does Alcohol Play in the Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald?
  • Did Fitzgerald Really Criticize the Idea of the American Dream in the Great Gatsby?
  • Does Love Play Have Any Importance in the Great Gatsby?
  • What Role Does the Relationship Between Geography and Social Values Play in the Novel?
  • What Is the Meaning of Time in the Great Gatsby?
  • How Do the Aristocratic East Eggers, Tom and the Sloanes, Regard Gatsby in Chapter 6? How Is Their Contempt Connected to the Theme of Social Class in the Novel?
  • Analyze the Great Gatsby Through the Prism of Feminist Theory
  • How Are the Themes of Kindness and Compassion Presented in the Great Gatsby?
  • Describe How the Theme of Ambition Is Presented in the Novel
  • Elaborate on How Fitzgerald Contrasts Education and Experience in the Great Gatsby
  • Make a Critical Comparison of the Novel With the 2013 Movie
  • Make a Comparison of the Novel With the 1949 Movie
  • Compare the Great Gatsby Movies of 1949 and 2013
  • Compare and Contrast Two Classic American Novels: The Great Gatsbyand the Grapes of Wrath
  • How Are Donald Trump and the Great Gatsby’s Tom Buchanan Alike?
  • Compare Miller’s Death of a Salesman and the Great Gatsby
  • What Other Fictional or Non-fictional Character From a Book or Movie Can Nick Carraway Be Compared To?
  • Make a Critical Comparison of the Sun Also Rises and the Great Gatsby
  • Compare the Great Gatsby With a Farewell to Arms
  • Make a Comparison of Daisy From the Great Gatsby With Henrietta Bingham From Irresistible
  • What Pop Stars of Nowadays Daisy Can Be Compared To?
  • Macbeth vs. Jay Gatsby: Make a Character Comparison
  • Why does Daisy cry about the shirts in chapter 5 of The Great Gatsby?
  • What is Daisy’s opinion of Gatsby’s party in chapter 6?
  • How does The Great Gatsby explore the ideas of illusion versus reality?
  • How did Gatsby measure the success of his party in chapter 6?
  • What is the true relationship between Daisy and Tom in The Great Gatsby?
  • What does Gatsby tell Nick about himself and his past?
  • What role do the first lines of The Great Gatsby play?
  • What destroyed Gatsby’s dreams in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
  • What is the cause of the problem between Jordan and Nick?
  • Describe Daisy and Gatsby’s new relationship. What is it like?
  • Why does Jordan want to leave the group from East Egg?
  • What does Old Money vs. New Money mean in The Great Gatsby?
  • Which excerpt from The Great Gatsby is the best example of foreshadowing?
  • How does Fitzgerald represent the society of his time in thenovel? Would you like to live in the Jazz Era? Why or why not?
  • How does Nick describe himself at the beginning of The Great Gatsby?
  • How do we know that Myrtle Wilson is not an intellectual?
  • Who does the narrator think Daisy is at the end of the story?
  • What role does the book “The Rise of the Colored Empires” play in The Great Gatsby?
  • How is America shown in The Great Gatsby? What values do the East and the West represent?
  • Why did Gatsby fail to achieve the American Dream?
  • How did F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby reflect the culture of the 1920s?
  • Which excerpt from The Great Gatsby best indicates that Nick is not fully content with his life?
  • What role does social class in The Great Gatsby play?
  • What does Nick mean by the last line of The Great Gatsby?
  • What are the main differences between The Great Gatsby book and movie?
  • How does Fitzgerald provide a critical social history of Prohibition-Era America in his novel?
  • How does Nick know Daisy and Tom in The Great Gatsby?
  • What did Dan Cody do for Gatsby? What did Gatsby learn from him?
  • How does Myrtle behave as the party progresses in chapter 2?
  • Describe the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy in chapter 5. What was it like?
  • Hedonism and consumerism of the Roaring Twenties in The Great Gatsby . In The Great Gatsby , the author presents the idea of overconsumption and surrendering to guilty pleasures. What are the main aspects of this topic?
  • Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby from a feminist point of view. Jordan Baker is one of the “flapper girls” who aren’t afraid to dress and act as they want. You can analyze her character from the perspective of the beginning of the feminist movement in the 1920s.
  • The process of understanding The Great Gatsby and how it reinforces racist ideas. Understanding the reading material is a very individual process. How, in your opinion, should modern students interpret the racist ideas in The Great Gatsby ?
  • The shadow of the war experience in The Great Gatsby . In the Roaring Twenties, people glorified drinking, partying, and blowing money, while ignoring the veterans. What do you think about this idea described in Fitzgerald’s novel?
  • Colonial mentality in The Great Gatsby . Racial and ethnic issues are among the novel’s main topics. Discuss this question from the perspective of colonial mentality and postcolonialism.
  • How does The Great Gatsby reflect the Jazz Age?
  • What were the rumors about Gatsby?
  • What does The Great Gatsby’s ending mean?
  • What part does social class play in The Great Gatsby?
  • Why was young Gatsby drawn to Daisy?
  • How does Nick describe Tom Buchanan in chapter 1?
  • In The Great Gatsby, is Nick a reliable narrator?
  • What is the main conflict in The Great Gatsby?
  • How does Nick meet Gatsby for the first time?
  • Why is Gatsby great?
  • How women are portrayed in The Great Gatsby?
  • Who killed Myrtle in The Great Gatsby?
  • What was Jay Gatsby’s real name & background?
  • How is Gatsby different from his guests?
  • Who killed Gatsby and how did that happen?
  • In chapter 7, why does Gatsby stop giving parties?
  • Does money buy love in The Great Gatsby?
  • What does “owl eyes” reveal about Gatsby’s books?
  • What does Gatsby want from Daisy in chapter 6?
  • How does the Narrator describe Gatsby?
  • What is Gatsby doing when Nick first sees him?
  • How did Gatsby get rich?
  • Is The Great Gatsby about love or money?
  • Why did Daisy marry Tom in The Great Gatsby?
  • What role does Dan Cody’s yacht play in Great Gatsby?
  • Who attended Gatsby’s funeral?
  • What is the climax of The Great Gatsby?
  • What is Gatsby’s real history?
  • How is society shown in The Great Gatsby?
  • What does “her voice is full of money” mean?

The Great Gatsby Symbolism

Numerous symbols in The Great Gatsby have important meanings. Some of the most discussed ones are the green light, Gatsby’s car, and his parties. Every reader interprets them differently. There are still some good suggestions pointing at Gatsby’s hopes and dreams.

Roaring 20s in The Great Gatsby

The Roaring Twenties brought numerous changes to American society. In The Great Gatsby , every character represents at least one of them. For example, Jordan Baker is a part of the “flapper girl” culture, while Gatsby uses the Prohibition to his own advantage and makes a fortune on bootlegging.

Does Money Give Gatsby True Happiness?

Despite the widespread belief that money brings happiness, Gatsby isn’t happy. He was insanely rich, but his true joy was being with Daisy. Throughout the novel, he tries to gain her attention by throwing huge parties and showing off his wealth. Money is simply a tool for Gatsby.

Bootlegging in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is set during the Prohibition era when alcohol wasn’t allowed in the US. Still, those who desperately wanted to get a drink found ways to do it. Gatsby was one of the dealers, called bootleggers, who sold alcohol illegally. It explains why he’s so rich.

What Stands Out about Daisy Buchanan?

Gatsby is obsessed with Daisy Buchanan. She’s portrayed as beautiful and elegant but shallow. Nick describes her as a girl who breaks things and uses money to cover things up. At the same time, she stands out with one thing—her voice. Daisy has an angelic, irresistible voice “full of money.”

The Great Gatsby, the masterpiece written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, will help you dive into the Roaring Twenties’ wealth atmosphere. This is a story of a millionaire Jay Gatsby and his passion for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan

Your professor may ask you to analyze topics such as decadence, money, American Dream, or symbolism in your The Great Gatsby Essay. But what if you have no idea what to write? Well, below, you can find some tips and essay samples that you may use to compose your papers

Tip #1. Analyze symbolism in The Great Gatsby

First, let’s define what symbolism is. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, symbolism is “practice of using symbols, especially by investing things with a symbolic meaning or by expressing the invisible or intangible using visible or sensuous representations.” The Great Gatsby story is full of symbols. And here are just two examples of them:

  • The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg painted on a billboard in the Valley of Ashes. You can find a lot of The Great Gatsby essay samples that draw the conclusion that Eckleburg represents God. However, let’s ask a few more questions. Why do these eyes have no mouth or arms, or legs? Does this mean that Eckleburg can only watch people transgressions without any ability to punish them as a God-like entity? Does this billboard mean anything?
  • Use of color in Fitzgerald’s story. If you carefully read the novel, you might notice the use of a few colors throughout the book. They are green, gray, gold, and yellow. Think, what do these colors can symbolize and represent these ideas in your paper.

Tip #2. Think about point of view in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is written in the first-person point of view. Nick Carraway, one of the main characters, tells us about the life and thoughts of Gatsby. In your writing, you can imagine how different the novel would be if it were told in the third-person point of view.

You also can provide some examples if the story was told from Gatsby’s perspective.

Tip #3. Assess how the book relates to the American Dream

If you look through the vast majority The Great Gatsby essay titles, you can find out plenty of samples that address the validity of high society or the social class divide. Gatsby had achieved the American Dream by building his wealth. However, he’s still not satisfied with the shallowness of the upper class and wants something more.

In your paper, you can argue why does one can never attain the American Dream, and why dreamers always want more.

Tip #4. Analyze the characters and their relations

Fitzgerald put each character into the novel for a particular reason. And your job is to analyze what they represent and why they are in the story. For example, Tom represents evil, while Daisy represents innocence. Another aspect you should examine is relationships between Daisy and Gatsby, Tom and Daisy, Nick and Gatsby.

Tip #5. Examine the tone of the novel

When we talk about the tone of the story, we mean how the author describes the events and characters. In your paper, decide what the tone of the novel is and analyze how it affects the readers’ attitude to characters and events.

Now, check out The Great Gatsby essay examples above and use the acquired ideas to write your own paper!

  • Short Summary
  • Summary (Chapter 1)
  • Summary (Chapter 2)
  • Summary (Chapter 3)
  • Summary (Chapter 4)
  • Summary (Chapter 5)
  • Summary (Chapter 6)
  • Summary (Chapter 7)
  • Summary (Chapter 8)
  • Summary (Chapter 9)
  • Symbolism & Style
  • Quotes Explained
  • Questions & Answers
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Biography
  • A Good Man Is Hard to Find Essay Ideas
  • The Road Not Taken Topics
  • The Yellow Wallpaper Ideas
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God Ideas
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray Questions
  • Heart of Darkness Essay Ideas
  • Jane Eyre Ideas
  • The Old Man and the Sea Research Topics
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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IvyPanda . "196 The Great Gatsby Essay Titles and Examples." November 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/the-great-gatsby-essay-examples/.

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Essays on The Great Gatsby

The great gatsby essay topic examples.

Whether you want to analyze the American Dream, compare and contrast characters, vividly describe settings and characters, persuade readers with your viewpoints, or share personal experiences related to the story, these essay ideas provide a diverse perspective on the themes and complexities within the book.

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays require you to analyze and present arguments related to the novel. Here are some topic examples:

  • 1. Argue whether the American Dream is achievable or illusory, as depicted in The Great Gatsby .
  • 2. Analyze the moral ambiguity of Jay Gatsby and the consequences of his relentless pursuit of the American Dream.

Example Introduction Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a tale of ambition, decadence, and the elusive American Dream. This essay delves into the complex theme of the American Dream, exploring whether it remains attainable or has transformed into a tantalizing illusion, luring individuals like Jay Gatsby into its enigmatic embrace.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay: In conclusion, the analysis of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby invites us to reevaluate our perceptions of success and fulfillment. As we contemplate the fate of Jay Gatsby and the characters entangled in his world, we are challenged to define our own version of the American Dream and the sacrifices it may entail.

Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays enable you to examine similarities and differences within the novel or between it and other literary works. Consider these topics:

  • 1. Compare and contrast the characters of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, exploring their contrasting worldviews and motivations.
  • 2. Analyze the similarities and differences between the portrayal of the Jazz Age in The Great Gatsby and Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises .

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: The characters and settings in The Great Gatsby and other literary works offer a rich tapestry for comparison and contrast. This essay embarks on a journey to compare and contrast the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and the brash Tom Buchanan, delving into their contrasting values, aspirations, and roles within the novel.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay: In conclusion, the comparison and contrast of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan illuminate the divergent paths individuals can take in pursuit of their desires. As we consider the consequences of their choices, we are prompted to reflect on the complexities of ambition and morality.

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays allow you to vividly depict settings, characters, or events within the novel. Here are some topic ideas:

  • 1. Describe the opulent parties at Gatsby's mansion, emphasizing the decadence and extravagance of the Jazz Age.
  • 2. Paint a detailed portrait of Daisy Buchanan, focusing on her beauty, charm, and the allure she holds for Gatsby.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: The Great Gatsby immerses readers in the lavish world of the Roaring Twenties. This essay embarks on a descriptive exploration of the extravagant parties at Gatsby's mansion, capturing the opulence and hedonism of the era, as well as the illusions they create.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay: In conclusion, the descriptive portrayal of Gatsby's parties serves as a vivid snapshot of the Jazz Age's excesses and the fleeting nature of indulgence. Through this exploration, we are reminded of the allure and transience of the materialistic pursuits that captivated the characters of the novel.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays involve arguing a point of view related to the novel. Consider these persuasive topics:

  • 1. Persuade your readers that Nick Carraway is the moral compass of the story, serving as the voice of reason and morality.
  • 2. Argue for or against the idea that Gatsby's love for Daisy is genuine and selfless, despite his questionable methods.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: The Great Gatsby presents a tapestry of characters with complex moral dilemmas. This persuasive essay asserts that Nick Carraway emerges as the moral compass of the story, guiding readers through the labyrinth of decadence and disillusionment in the Jazz Age.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay: In conclusion, the persuasive argument regarding Nick Carraway's role as the moral compass underscores the importance of ethical navigation in a world characterized by excess and moral ambiguity. As we reflect on his influence, we are compelled to consider the enduring value of integrity and virtue.

Narrative Essays

Narrative essays offer you the opportunity to tell a story or share personal experiences related to the themes of the novel. Explore these narrative essay topics:

  • 1. Narrate a personal experience where you encountered the allure of materialism and extravagance, similar to the characters in The Great Gatsby .
  • 2. Imagine yourself as a character in the Jazz Age and recount your interactions with Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: The themes of The Great Gatsby resonate with the allure of a bygone era. This narrative essay delves into a personal encounter with the seductive pull of materialism and extravagance, drawing parallels to the characters' experiences in the novel.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Narrative Essay: In conclusion, the narrative of my personal encounter with the allure of materialism reminds us of the timeless nature of the themes in The Great Gatsby . As we navigate our own desires and ambitions, we are encouraged to contemplate the balance between aspiration and morality.

Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"

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Instability of Love and Desire in The Great Gatsby

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Representation of The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

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April 10, 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Novel; Fiction, Tragedy

Jay Gatsby , Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, Jordan Baker, Meyer Wolfsheim, George B. Wilson, Trimalchio, Mr. Gatz

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "The Great Gatsby" with multiple motivations in mind. Firstly, he sought to critique the materialistic excesses and moral decay of the Roaring Twenties, a period of post-World War I prosperity. Fitzgerald aimed to expose the disillusionment and hollowness behind the glittering facade of the American Dream. Additionally, he drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of the wealthy elite and their decadent lifestyles. Through the character of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald explored themes of unrequited love, longing, and the pursuit of an unattainable ideal. Ultimately, Fitzgerald's intent was to capture the essence of an era and offer a profound commentary on the human condition.

The story revolves around Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a married woman with whom he had a romantic past. Narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest, the novel delves into the opulent and extravagant lives of the wealthy elite in Long Island. As Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope of rekindling his relationship with Daisy, the narrative explores themes of love, wealth, illusion, and the disillusionment that comes with the pursuit of the American Dream.

The American Dream , decadence, idealism, resistance to changes, social excess, caution.

The influence of "The Great Gatsby" extends far beyond its initial publication in 1925. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel has become a literary classic, revered for its exploration of themes such as wealth, love, and the elusive American Dream. It remains relevant due to its timeless portrayal of human desires, societal decadence, and the consequences of relentless pursuit. The book's vivid characters and atmospheric prose have inspired countless writers and artists, shaping the landscape of American literature. With its commentary on the dark underbelly of the Jazz Age, "The Great Gatsby" continues to captivate readers, serving as a cautionary tale and a poignant reflection of the human condition.

1. During F. Scott Fitzgerald's lifetime, approximately 25,000 copies of the book were sold. However, since then, it has gained immense popularity, selling over 25 million copies and establishing itself as one of the most renowned American novels. 2. The Great Gatsby did not have its original title as the author considered various options, ranging from "Under the Red, White and Blue" to "The High-Bouncing Lover." These alternative titles were potentially revealing too much about the content prematurely. 3. In 1926, just a year after its publication, the book was adapted into a film, demonstrating its quick transition from page to screen. 4. Fitzgerald's cause of death is believed to have been tuberculosis rather than a heart attack. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 44. 5. The price of this famous novel at the time of its publication in 1925 was $2, representing its value in that era. 6. The Great Gatsby did not immediately receive critical acclaim upon release. However, it has since garnered recognition and praise, becoming a significant literary work.

"The Great Gatsby" has made a significant impact on various forms of media, captivating audiences across generations. The novel has been adapted into several films, with notable versions including the 1974 adaptation starring Robert Redford and the 2013 adaptation featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. These cinematic interpretations have brought the story to life visually, further immersing audiences in the opulent world of Jay Gatsby. Additionally, the novel has been referenced and alluded to in countless songs, television shows, and even video games, solidifying its cultural significance. Its themes of love, wealth, and the pursuit of the American Dream continue to resonate and inspire creative works in popular culture.

“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.’” “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” “Let us learn to show our friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.” “So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight.” “I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”

Studying "The Great Gatsby" holds great importance due to its enduring relevance and literary significance. The novel offers profound insights into themes such as wealth, love, social class, and the corruption of the American Dream. Its exploration of the Jazz Age exposes the allure and emptiness of a materialistic society, making it a compelling study of human desires and societal decay. F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterful prose and symbolic imagery provide rich material for analyzing character development, narrative techniques, and social commentary. Moreover, delving into the novel's historical context allows for a deeper understanding of the cultural and societal shifts of the 1920s.

The inclusion of "The Great Gatsby" as an essay topic for college students stems from its exploration of themes like the American Dream, the juxtaposition of poverty and wealth, and the destructive allure of corruption. The character of Gatsby embodies the American spirit and can be paralleled to contemporary individuals fixated on materialism and fame as measures of romantic success. Furthermore, this literary masterpiece holds a significant place in American literature, as F. Scott Fitzgerald skillfully weaves socio-cultural elements into each sentence, providing a timeless portrayal of American life that resonates across generations. The choice to analyze and write about "The Great Gatsby" allows students to delve into these thought-provoking themes and examine their relevance to society.

1. Stallman, R. W. (1955). Conrad and The Great Gatsby. Twentieth Century Literature, 1(1), 5–12. (https://doi.org/10.2307/441023) 2. John Jerrim, Lindsey Macmillan, (2015). Income Inequality, Intergenerational Mobility, and the Great Gatsby Curve: Is Education the Key?, Social Forces, Volume 94, Issue 2. (https://academic.oup.com/sf/article/94/2/505/2583794) 3. Robert C. Hauhart (2013) Religious Language and Symbolism in The Great Gatsby’s Valley of Ashes, ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews, 26:3 (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0895769X.2013.798233) 4. Burnam, T. (1952). The Eyes of Dr. Eckleburg: A Re-Examination of “The Great Gatsby.” College English, 14(1), 7–12. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/371821) 5. Tom Phillips (2018) Passing for White in THE GREAT GATSBY: A Spectroscopic Analysis of Jordan Baker, The Explicator, 76:3. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00144940.2018.1489769?scroll=top&needAccess=true&role=tab) 6. Matterson, S. (1990). The Great Gatsby and Social Class. In: The Great Gatsby. The Critics Debate. Palgrave, London. (https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-349-20768-8_9) 7. Licence, A. (2008). Jay Gatsby: martyr of a materialistic society: Amy Licence considers religious elements in The Great Gatsby. The English Review, 18(3), 24+. (https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA173676222&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=09558950&p=LitRC&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E5a84816e) 8. Khodamoradpour, Marjan and Anushiravani, Alireza, (2017) Playing the Old Tunes: A Fiskean Analysis of Baz Luhrmann's 2013 Cinematic Adaptation of the Great Gatsby. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, Volume 71. (https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3020752) 9. Anderson, H. (1968). THE RICH BUNCH IN" THE GREAT GATSBY". Southern Quarterly, 6(2), 163. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/6a9e704a476d873aada2d2529821b95a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2029886)

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153 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics

Let’s travel to the roaring 1920s with our collection of The Great Gatsby essay prompts! F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, set amidst the luxury and decadence of the Jazz Age, thrills readers with its exploration of love, wealth, and the elusive pursuit of the American Dream. In the Great Gatsby essay topics below, you will find titles about the complex characters and their entwined destinies.

🪩 7 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics

📝 best the great gatsby essay prompts, 🎓 interesting the great gatsby research paper topics, 👍 great gatsby essay & thesis ideas, 💡 simple the great gatsby essay topics, 📌 more the great gatsby essay prompts, ❓ the great gatsby essay questions.

  • The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
  • Examples of Racism in The Great Gatsby
  • Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan: Character Comparison
  • Clothing as Class Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Colors and Deceit
  • The Great Gatsby Themes
  • Old and New Money in The Great Gatsby
  • How Money and Wealth Depicted in the Fitzgerald’s “Great Gatsby”
  • Ethics in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald In The Great Gatsby, many of the characters have questionable ethics. The story, written by Scott Fitzgerald, reflects a society where moral decadence thrives
  • Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” as a Deconstruction of the American Dream One way in which the movie deconstructs the idea of the American Dream is by showing that prosperity does not necessarily come in hand with virtue.
  • The Great Gatsby: Book Review The Great Gatsby involves the story of Jay Gatsby. In this book the character being played, namely Jay, is a character that is in the conquest of win back his only and first love.
  • Benjamin Franklin vs. Jay Gatsby: Character Comparison The paper aims to consider the character traits of Gatsby through the portrayal of Ben Franklin, discuss their aims and features.
  • The Great Gatsby: Gatsby and the Decline of the American Dream This paper will research the decline of Gatsby’s American dream by summarizing the novel, defining the discussed notion, and providing several supporting examples from the story.
  • Analysis of The Great Gatsby (2013) This work highlights the possible readings of the film The Great Gatsby according to rhetoric, semiotics, the gaze, and queer theory.
  • Symbolism in The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby there are several symbols but the most powerful appears to be the eyes that overlook the valley from a bill board.
  • Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby”: Literary Devices In the book Fitzgerald applies literary techniques such as dramatic irony, allegory, exposition, personification, and foreshadowing to accord the story a smart finishing.
  • The Deception of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald’s magnum opus The Great Gatsby raises an important question about the legitimacy of the American Dream. The novel centers on Jay Gatsby, a millionaire who came from humble beginnings and spends his time trying to reunite with his former lover, Daisy. Gatsby’s warped perception of success makes him see…
  • Relationships in Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun vs. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” are two novels that explore the complexities of human relationships in different contexts.
  • The Sun Also Rises and The Great Gatsby: Comprare & Contrast ‘The Great Gatsby’ by S.Fitzgerald and ‘The Sun also Rises’ by E.Hemingway touched the themes of human challenges, racism and isolation under the impact of war events.
  • Green Light in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby of F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for its symbolism which is very mysterious and intricate as a lot of details.
  • “The Great Gatsby” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”: Examination of Material Wealth The paper examines Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” focusing on the theme of materialistic wealth and its impacts on human life.
  • Love in Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” The main characters of both modern and traditional works, “Pride and Prejudice” and “The Great Gatsby,” openly say that a human cannot hide her feelings.
  • “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Beliefs and Values This paper uses “The Great Gatsby” book to describe the major events and experiences that influenced Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s beliefs and values.
  • Infidelity in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” The Great Gatsby is the story of materialism, its pursuit, symbolism on those who possess it at different stages of life, and how the majority may decline morally in its lure.
  • Money and Wealth in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” The paper discusses what money means for Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway and how this theme is essential for developing topics like the American dream and love.
  • The Film “The Great Gatsby” and the American Dream The film “The Great Gatsby” is just one example, which leaves hope for people that the American Dream in any of its interpretations is attainable for the majority today.
  • The Great Gatsby: Analysis The main character Jay Gatsby returns after the overpast of World War I. As we see, he is a respectable veteran being newly wealthy. He settles in “West Egg”.
  • Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald In contrast to other characters in The Great Gatsby, Nick goes through a number of changes from the beginning to the end of the novel.
  • The Great Gatsby as a Reflection of American Culture The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, was the forerunner of an entire literary dynasty of rich personalities with a mysterious past.
  • Pursuit of Daisy Buchanan in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” “The Great Gatsby” is a novel by F. S. Fitzgerald. The purpose of this essay is to examine whether Gatsby should have sought Daisy and the reasons why this pursuit was justified.
  • The Great Gatsby: Illusions in Human Existence The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is often analyzed from the point of view of opposing dreams and reality, the spiritual and material world.
  • “The Great Gatsby”: What Makes Daisy So Attractive?
  • Nick and His Experiences of Materialism in “The Great Gatsby”
  • The Confrontational Relationship Between Tom and Gatsby in F Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby”
  • How Women Are Portrayed in “The Great Gatsby”
  • What Techniques Does Fitzgerald Use to Convey the Main Themes in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Contrasting Western Morals and Eastern Corruption in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • “Love Conquers All: Analyzing Romance and Relationships Within “The Great Gatsby”
  • “The Great Gatsby”: Morals and American Idealism
  • Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled With the Character in “The Great Gatsby”
  • What Makes One Great? “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • How the Lost Generation Is Represented in “The Great Gatsby”
  • The Careless Gaiety and Moral Decadence of the Rich in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Jay Gatsby’s American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”
  • The American Dream Turned Nightmare in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Greed, Lust, and the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”, a Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Ambition and Its Negative Effects: “The Great Gatsby” and Macbeth
  • The Deconstruction Post-Modern Criticism of “The Great Gatsby”
  • Morals and American Idealism in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Gatsby’s Unrealistic American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”
  • American Culture During “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • The East Egg and the Corruption of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Superficial Love and Realistic Love in “The Great Gatsby” by F Scott Fitz
  • The American Dream: Jay Gatsby’s Illegal Wealth The American Dream is a happy way of living believed in the US that anyone has a chance for success and can also rise to a higher social or economic position by working hard.
  • The Great Gatsby: How Money and Class Create and Destroy Relationships Money and class always played a huge role in the life of any society. Since ancient times, people have been marrying for money: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
  • Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”: Gatsby’s Impossible Dream In The Great Gatsby, the story concerns a mysterious character named Jay Gatsby. He is exceptionally wealthy, hosting parties at his manor attended by many people.
  • Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ and the Illusion of the American Dream F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is one of the greatest novels written on the subject. At first look, Jay Gatsby’s narrative appears to be the American dream realization.
  • “The Great Gatsby”: The American Dream Is Not Feasible for All “The Great Gatsby” declares that the American Dream is not feasible for all because neither virtuous character nor hard work leads to prosperity, and hope remains unrewarded.
  • Wealth and Illusion in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the theme of American Dream. In particular, the author shows the decline of this ideal and people’s disillusionment with it.
  • Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age Perception in “The Great Gatsby” The purpose of this paper is to analyze the features used by Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby in terms of its contribution to the reader’s impression and the work’s status.
  • The Great Gatsby: American Dream Concept The movie, The Great Gatsby, satirizes American Dream by showing that it is an illusion that cannot be attained: wealth is not always a product of hard work.
  • Gender in The Great Gatsby & The Yellow Wallpaper The complexities of men and women in the texts were examined and evaluated on the basis of sexuality and relationship and the inferences would be supported by the text itself.
  • “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby” is a recognized classic of American literature with the characteristic idea of that era – a dream that transforms into a tragedy eventually.
  • Themes of Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” This paper analyzes “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. There are several themes in “The Great Gatsby”, including money, wealth, idealism, and love.
  • Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” Book Review The central thesis of the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is that American society in the Roaring Twenties is disillusionment and moral decay.
  • The Novel “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald This paper attempts to trace the peculiarities of the protagonist of the novel “The Great Gatsby” and argues that Fitzgerald has transferred some of his own peculiarities to him.
  • Owl Eyes in “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald This paper discusses and examines the significance of the minor character Owl Eyes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby”.
  • The Great Gatsby: A Book Review and Summary The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is highly evaluated among literary critics and perceived to be one of the most prominent novels ever written.
  • The Role of Love and Women in Great Gatsby and the Sun Also Rises Love is inextricably linked to women in both Fitzgerald’s “Great Gatsby” and Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises” so much so that a serious discussion of one cannot be complete without the other.
  • Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby The novel Great Gatsby depicts the unique vision of the American dream and its impact on the life of a person during the 1920s.
  • Society in The Great Gatsby The novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a bitter satire to the American dream, which according to the ideas of the majority implies the heap of the happiness.
  • In the Time of the Butterflies and The Great Gatsby: Compare & Contrast Essay The settings of both stories help us understand the canvasses upon which the authors paint their pictures and contextualizes the actions of stories’ characters.
  • Jazz Age in “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzerald The topic of changes in the American society in 1920s, in the book “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzerald, and the change of the concept of the American Dream.
  • Masculinity in The Great Gatsby and The Breakfast Club The paper demonstrates how the American culture depicts masculinity as reflected in media (movies) and American literature in the course readings.
  • Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’: A Novel Overview In his novel “The Great Gatsby”, Francis Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism to convey extra emotions, add different meanings, and allow for various interpretations.
  • “The Great Gatsby” by Scott F. Fitzgerald The theme of the American dream interweaves the entire plot of the novel The Great Gatsby. Each of the characters had their dream, but none of them could come true.
  • Failure of American Dream: “The Great Gatsby” by Fitzgerald Review Despite the seeming glamor and wealth, the character of Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald is deeply and inherently tragic.
  • Jay Gatsby by F. S. Fitzgerald and the American Dream The American Dream means the individual’s striving for success, material well-being, and other kinds of achievement, implying an ascent to recognition, wealth, and fame
  • The American Dream Discussion Based on the Film “The Great Gatsby” In “The Great Gatsby”, Franklin’s assertion the American Dream is available to all people is incorrect – Gatsby achieved wealth by fraud, but it didn’t fulfill his American dream.
  • Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” Book and Movie Comparison “The Great Gatsby” can be called a faithful interpretation, however, it still has some personal analysis of the director.
  • “The Great Gatsby” Is the Best Fitzgerald’s Novel “The Great Gatsby” is practically the most successful book of Francis Scott Fitzgerald as it has been translated into many languages.
  • The Great Gatsby: Chapters’ Review Chapter 1: Nick Carraway decides to move from Minnesota to New York. He starts his story by mentioning that his father told him not to judge others.
  • American Dream in Fitzgeralds’s “The Great Gatsby” Among the many concepts explored in Fitzgeralds’s The Great Gatsby, American Dream is one of the most notable ones.
  • Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway: Character Analysis This paper compares and contrasts two characters from “The Great Gatsby”, which are Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway, who represent the novel’s protagonist and narrator respectively
  • Money & Wealth in The Great Gatsby In The Great Gatsby, Jay wants to win back the only girl he ever felt he loved. It’s hard to blame Gatsby for attempting to win Daisy by impressing her with his material wealth.
  • Imagery in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Fitzgerald The principle imagery of the novel lies in its locations. There are three key locations, which signify different social classes of the American society at the time.
  • Difference Between Illusion and Reality in “The Great Gatsby”
  • “The Great Gatsby” Through the Lens of Feminist Criticism
  • How Money Widens the Gap of Loneliness in “The Great Gatsby”
  • What Part Does Social Class Play in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Broken Dreams and Fallen Themes: The Corruption of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Dreams Are the Main Theme in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Connection Between Saint Hedwig of Silesia and “The Great Gatsby”
  • Imagination and Its Effects on the World of “The Great Gatsby”
  • Love Lust and Obsession in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Beauty and Foolishness: The Role of Pammy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Discover the Hidden Reality in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Equating Money and Prosperity to the Power of Love in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • What Going From West to East Meant for the Characters in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • America and the Decay of Morality: “The Great Gatsby” and “The Sun Also Rises”
  • How Does the Author Use Theme, Setting, and Character to Instil in the Reader a Desire to Read “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Why Has “The Great Gatsby” Been Hailed as the Ultimate Testament to the Glamorous Side of the Jazz Era?
  • “The Great Gatsby” Displaying the Corruption of the American
  • “The Great Gatsby”: Fitzgerald Tying Is Life to the Book
  • Pure Happiness and Self-Satisfaction in the Pursuit of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”, a Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • “The Great Gatsby”: Evidence of Insecurity and Ambiguity That Question Nick Carraway’s Heterosexuality
  • Ambition and the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Existentialism, Jungian Analysis, and Marxist Criticism in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • “The Great Gatsby”, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Grapes
  • Man’s Dreams for Elite Social Class in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Similarities Between “The Great Gatsby” and Julius Caesar
  • Lying and Its Consequences in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Emotion Over Reason: Frankenstein and “The Great Gatsby”
  • Dreaming Can Bring Misery in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitgerald
  • The Thin Line Between Dreams and Reality in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Beneath the Surface Glitter, ‘“The Great Gatsby”’ Is a Profoundly Pessimistic Novel
  • “The Great Gatsby”: Wealth Allows People to Be Careless and Dangerous
  • Women’s Intentions Towards Men in “The Great Gatsby” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald
  • Breathing Dreams Like Air in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • East and West Egg in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Overview of How Fitzgerald Presents Marriage as a Dysfunctional
  • Affairs, Wealth, and Murder in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • American Dream and Materialism in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • How Does Great Gatsby’s Morality Apply to Modern Society?
  • Achieving Hopes and Dreams in “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Idealized Love Hope and Mortality in “The Great Gatsby”
  • Death and the Relief of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • Analysis and Literary Interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Greed for Success and Wealth in “The Great Gatsby”
  • How Is the American Dream Corrupted in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What Characters in “The Great Gatsby” Represent the American Dream?
  • How Did the Author Elicit Sympathy for the Character of Great Gatsby?
  • What Are the Major Themes in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Does Money Buy Happiness in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Who Is the Most Tragic Character in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • How Is Illusion Mistaken for Reality in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Is “The Great Gatsby” Movie Accurate to the Book?
  • Does Money Cause Problems in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • How Is Happiness Portrayed in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What Is the Main Message of “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Should “The Great Gatsby” Still Be Read in Schools?
  • How Does Money Affect the Characters in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What Makes Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” a Timeless Classic?
  • How Is Violence Shown in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Does the Novel “The Great Gatsby” Relate to Modern-Day Society?
  • How Has Fitzgerald Presented the Character of Daisy in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What Does Great Gatsby Say About Society?
  • How Does “The Great Gatsby” Show That Money Can’t Buy Love?
  • Why Does “The Great Gatsby” Criticize Society?
  • How Is Social Class Presented in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What’s the Difference Between “The Great Gatsby” Movie and Book?
  • How Does Fitzgerald Portray Class at the Start of “The Great Gatsby”?
  • What Is Fitzgerald Ultimately Trying to Say About Money and Materialism in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • Why Is Gatsby Known as Great?

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These essay examples and topics on The Great Gatsby were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on November 2, 2024 .

20 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics

Hailed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, The Great Gatsby is a story that explores love, betrayal, and the pursuit of the American dream in the 1920s.

If you have been asked to write an essay on this classic novel, you might be a little nervous trying to figure out what you should include. However, don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the process of writing an excellent Gatsby essay and provide 20 The Great Gatsby essay topic ideas.

Essay Writing Essentials

Before you can write an essay on The Great Gatsby, you need to understand the basics of essay writing. This includes developing a clear thesis, supporting your claims with evidence from the book, and crafting a solid conclusion.

Writing a Thesis

A thesis statement details the overall point or argument you intend to make in the essay. Therefore, a thesis statement must be clear, specific, and arguable. A thesis statement will be best placed at the end of your first paragraph or as a way to wrap up your introduction if it is multiple paragraphs.

Some examples of well-written thesis statements for a The Great Gatsby include:

“While The Great Gatsby appears to be a novel about love, in reality, it is a scathing critique of the American dream.”

“Though Jay Gatsby is wealthy and well-liked, he is ultimately a tragic figure because he cannot escape his past.”

“The relationships in The Great Gatsby are all ultimately doomed because the characters are not honest with each other or themselves.”

Developing Supporting Claims for the Body

To support your thesis statement, you will need to include evidence from the novel in the form of quotes and analysis. It is vital that you choose passages that directly relate to your thesis and that you explain how these quotes support your argument.

One way to find quotes that support your thesis is to look for passages that seem particularly significant or interesting to you. Then, once you have a few potential quotes in mind, try to come up with a sentence or two explaining how the quote supports your argument. This will help you determine if the quote is actually relevant to your essay or if you need to keep looking.

It can also be helpful to go back to your list of potential thesis statements and look for quotes that could support each one. This way, you can get a sense of which quotes will be most beneficial for your essay before writing.

Crafting a Strong Conclusion

Your conclusion should briefly summarize the main points of your essay and reiterate your thesis statement. You might also want to leave the reader with something to think about or a call to action if you feel strongly about the issue you have been discussing.

A strong conclusion might look something like this:

“Though Gatsby’s pursuit of the American dream is ultimately fruitless, his efforts are nonetheless admirable. His willingness to fight for what he wants, even in the face of overwhelming odds, is something that we can all learn from.”

Citing and Formatting Essays About Books

In addition to using evidence from the novel to support your claims, you will also need to cite any sources you use in your essay. This includes any quotes or paraphrases from The Great Gatsby and any outside sources you might have used.

Citing Sources

When citing a quote from The Great Gatsby, you will need to include the page number in parentheses after the quote. For example:

“Daisy’s voice was sad ‘I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.'” (10).

If you are paraphrasing or summarizing a passage from The Great Gatsby, you will just need to include the page number in parentheses after the paraphrase. For example:

Gatsby’s wealth is often seen as a symbol of his success, but it is also clear that money cannot buy happiness. (21)

If you cite an outside source, you will need to include both the author’s name and the page number (or, for sources that don’t use page numbers, the section or chapter number) in parentheses after the quote. For example:

“The Great Gatsby is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American fiction” (Baldwin 3).

Formatting an Essay About a Book

When formatting your essay, there are a few key things you need to keep in mind. First, all mentions of the book’s title need to be italicized or underlined. Second, your essay should have one-inch margins on all sides.

Your essay should also have a title page that includes the title of your essay, your name, and the name of your class. If you are writing a longer essay (5 or more pages), you may need to also include a header on each page. It’s best to speak with your instructor to clarify any specific formatting requirements for the assignment.

Now that you know how to write an essay on The Great Gatsby, you can start brainstorming potential topics for your paper. If you are having trouble, consider using or adapting one of the following topics.

  • How does Gatsby’s wealth (or lack thereof) impact his relationships?
  • How does Gatsby’s pursuit of the American dream ultimately fail?
  • What role do women play in The Great Gatsby?
  • How are the parties that Gatsby throws symbolic of his own emptiness?
  • How does Fitzgerald use symbolism to comment on the state of the American dream?
  • What role does fate play in The Great Gatsby?
  • Is Gatsby a tragic hero? If so, why?
  • How is The Great Gatsby an example of the “Lost Generation”?
  • What role does the past play in The Great Gatsby?
  • How do the relationships between men and women change throughout the novel?
  • How is The Great Gatsby a commentary on the class divisions in American society?
  • What role does morality play in The Great Gatsby?
  • How do the characters in The Great Gatsby represent different aspects of the American dream?
  • What role does money play in The Great Gatsby?
  • Is Gatsby a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
  • How is Nick Carraway’s role as narrator important to the novel?
  • How does Fitzgerald use setting to comment on the characters and events in The Great Gatsby?
  • What role do secrets play in The Great Gatsby?
  • How is The Great Gatsby a commentary on the corruption of the American dream?
  • What theme(s) are explored in The Great Gatsby?

These topics should provide any student assigned an essay on The Great Gatsby with plenty to write about. If you need further help, consider using or adapting one of these topics for your own paper.

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The Great Gatsby: Essay Topics & Samples

No novel is written for the sake of writing. You can be immersed in the plot and feel sympathy toward the protagonists, but there is something more about every great book. A good The Great Gatsby essay should question the narrative to determine what the text’s broader purpose is.

Are you out of ideas? Our topics and The Great Gatsby writing prompts can kickstart your creative process. They won’t limit the flight of your thought in any way: instead, they’ll show you the right direction to follow. You can also use our essay samples for inspiration or apply for professional writing help .

  • 💡 Essay Topics
  • ✒️ Essay Samples

💡 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics & Prompts

  • Did Daisy genuinely love Gatsby, or did she want to return the past feelings? Why was preserving her social class so important? Or did she stay with Tom for other reasons, like the shared experience, stability, and the daughter? Do you think Daisy opted for Tom after a careful comparison?
  • Old and New Money in The Great Gatsby. What did Gatsby lack to feel like he belongs to the Old Money, apart from heritage? What did elevate him above the Old Money representatives and make him more humane? Why didn’t he possess the traits related to the corruption of the upper class?
  • Money and wealth in The Great Gatsby . Money is helpless in matters of love and friendship. Nick Carraway was Gatsby’s only friend. As far as we know, only Daisy loved him, and even this fact is doubtful. Was it the reason why Gatsby’s success did not make him happy? Write an argumentative essay about it!
  • Compare and contrast The Great Gatsby 2013 movie vs. the book in an essay. Does the movie represent the characters as profoundly as the book does? Make the book review from the point of view of a person who watched the film first. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the film?
  • How does Gatsby represent the American Dream ? This essay should start with the historical background that formed the general idea of the American Dream. Is Gatsby’s version of the American Dream universal for all US citizens, or does it have any unique features? “The American Dream in The Great Gatsby ” is a perfect title for this kind of essay.
  • Is Gatsby great? This essay can discuss the strengths and failures of Jay Gatsby. It could also reveal why the novel is titled like this. Is Gatsby great because he has made a fortune without any heritage, or is the title ironic?
  • The Great Gatsby symbolism is a good topic for an essay. It could cover the setting of the novel, the color symbolism in The Great Gatsby (especially the green light , gold, and the color white,) and the small symbolic details like bespectacled eyes of various protagonists and TJ Eckleburg on the billboard.
  • Write The Great Gatsby literary analysis essay , exploring why the author chose these specific characters to convey the main idea to the reader. What is the primary purpose of the novel, and what helped the author to achieve it? Dwell upon the decline of morality as the typical feature of the Roaring Twenties.
  • Time in The Great Gatsby . Throughout the entire novel, Gatsby is trying to recapture his past feelings. Did he succeed, to some extent? Can living in the memories, even recreated in real life, make someone happy? The novel is full of flashbacks. Explain why the time is non-linear in the story .
  • The Great Gatsby themes might also be a great as an essay topic. The novel is multifaceted and profound, with several layers of meaning. Money and wealth, society and class, love and marriage , hope, morality, time, and the American Dream in The Great Gatsby are to be discussed in this essay.

✒️ The Great Gatsby: Essay Examples

Below you’ll find a collection of The Great Gatsby essay examples. Use them for inspiration!

  • Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
  • Symbolism in The Great Gatsby
  • Masculinity in The Great Gatsby and The Breakfast Club
  • Imagery in The Great Gatsby by F. Fitzgerald
  • Conception of The American Dream
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100+ Great Gatsby Essay Topics

GREAT GATSBY ESSAY TOPICS

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The Great Gatsby Essay Topics: Dive Deep into Fitzgerald’s World

When F. Scott Fitzgerald penned “The Great Gatsby,” he probably didn’t foresee the cultural phenomenon it would become. It’s not just a story about the Roaring Twenties, but a timeless exploration of ambition, love, societal pressures, and the ever-elusive American Dream. As students and literature enthusiasts, analyzing this classic novel can lead to intriguing insights.

What is a Great Gatsby Essay?

A “Great Gatsby” essay is an analytical or argumentative piece that delves into the themes, characters, symbols, and narrative techniques in Fitzgerald’s novel. From the opulent parties at Gatsby’s mansion to the faded eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg on a billboard, the novel offers a plethora of subjects ripe for exploration.

Guide to Choosing a Great Gatsby Essay Topic

When it comes to picking the perfect topic for your “Great Gatsby” essay, think about what fascinates you the most about the novel. Is it a particular character’s arc, a recurring symbol, or a central theme? Consider:

  • Your Passion : Choose a topic that genuinely intrigues you. This will make your writing process more enjoyable.
  • Relevance : If your essay has specific guidelines, make sure your topic aligns with them.
  • Scope : Ensure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow. It should allow for a deep dive without overwhelming.

Great Gatsby Essay Topics Lists

Character analysis.

  • The evolution of Jay Gatsby: From James Gatz to the Golden Boy
  • Daisy Buchanan: A symbol of the American Dream or its victim?
  • The duality of Tom Buchanan: Aristocratic charm and brutish behavior
  • Jordan Baker: The modern woman of the 1920s
  • The tragic trajectory of George and Myrtle Wilson

Themes Explored

  • The decay of the American Dream
  • The superficiality of the Jazz Age
  • The role of wealth and class
  • The portrayal of love and obsession
  • Morality and corruption in the Roaring Twenties

Symbols and Motifs

  • The green light: Hope, dreams, and unattainable desires
  • The Valley of Ashes: Decay, despair, and the downtrodden
  • Dr. T. J. Eckleburg’s eyes: The omnipresent moral judgment
  • Cars in the novel: Symbols of status, freedom, and impending doom
  • East vs. West: The inherent tension and their symbolic meanings

Narrative Techniques

  • The reliability of Nick Carraway as a narrator
  • Fitzgerald’s use of color symbolism
  • The role of setting in character development
  • The significance of the title: Who is the “Great” Gatsby?
  • The structure of the novel and its impact on the narrative

Character Insights

  • The metamorphosis of James Gatz to Jay Gatsby: A self-made illusion
  • The allure and tragedy of Daisy Buchanan
  • Tom Buchanan: The embodiment of 1920s excess and entitlement
  • The enigmatic charm of Jordan Baker
  • George Wilson: A product of societal neglect
  • Myrtle Wilson’s desperate grasp for a luxurious life
  • Meyer Wolfsheim and the underworld of the Jazz Age
  • The subtle influences of Catherine, Myrtle’s sister

Exploring Central Themes

  • The ephemeral nature of the American Dream
  • Love versus obsession: Gatsby’s pursuit of Daisy
  • Moral decay in the heart of the Jazz Age
  • The consequences of unchecked ambition
  • Illusion vs. reality: The facades characters maintain
  • The societal clash: Old Money vs. New Money
  • The isolation and loneliness lurking beneath the parties

Symbols and Their Interpretations

  • The elusive green light and its manifold meanings
  • The Valley of Ashes: The grim face of industrialization
  • The haunting eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg
  • The significance of Gatsby’s lavish parties
  • The role of automobiles: Symbols of modernity and death
  • The shirts and materialism: Daisy’s emotional collapse

Narrative Techniques & Structure

  • Assessing Nick Carraway’s reliability as a narrator
  • Fitzgerald’s prose: A blend of poetic and prosaic
  • The non-linear timeline and its effects on suspense
  • The role of weather and its influence on the narrative mood
  • Foreshadowing in the novel: Predicting Gatsby’s downfall

Comparative Analyses

  • “The Great Gatsby” and the plays of Tennessee Williams: A study in Southern Gothic
  • Comparing Daisy Buchanan and Blanche DuBois
  • The Jazz Age in “The Great Gatsby” vs. “This Side of Paradise”
  • Comparing the tragedies of Jay Gatsby and Oedipus Rex
  • The portrayal of the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby” vs. “Death of a Salesman”

Societal Implications

  • The role of women in “The Great Gatsby”: Traditionalism vs. Modernism
  • Racism and xenophobia: The dark undertones of the Jazz Age
  • The impact of Prohibition on the characters and plot
  • Jazz music and its influence on the Roaring Twenties ethos
  • The disillusionment of World War I veterans: Gatsby’s hidden scars

Miscellaneous Topics

  • The significance of the Midwest vs. the East Coast
  • The influence of Gatsby’s father and his cameo in the novel
  • Analyzing the epigraph: Why “Then wear the gold hat”?
  • The role of minor characters in building Gatsby’s world
  • The cultural legacy of “The Great Gatsby” in modern media

Unraveling Relationships

  • Gatsby and Nick: A friendship built on admiration and intrigue
  • The love triangle: Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom
  • The tragic love affair of George and Myrtle Wilson
  • Tom and Myrtle: Lust, power, and socioeconomic dynamics
  • The nuanced relationship between Nick and Jordan

Behind the Illusions

  • The significance of Gatsby’s Oxford photograph and medal
  • The root of Gatsby’s wealth: Ill-gotten gains and their implications
  • The role of gossip and rumors in shaping perceptions
  • The real reason behind Gatsby’s infatuation with Daisy
  • The illusion of East Egg’s sophistication and its moral bankruptcy

Contextual Analysis

  • The influence of the Lost Generation on Fitzgerald’s narrative
  • The impact of the stock market and economic dynamics on the story’s backdrop
  • Jazz, flappers, and the cultural shifts of the 1920s
  • The role of organized crime and its influence on the novel’s events
  • The societal implications of prohibition in the Roaring Twenties

Deeper Dive into Symbols

  • The significance of the color yellow in the novel
  • Gatsby’s mansion as a symbol of his ambitions and insecurities
  • The motif of water and barriers in Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship
  • The broken clock during Gatsby’s reunion with Daisy
  • The juxtaposition of fire and water in the novel’s climax

Literary Legacy

  • The influence of “The Great Gatsby” on modern American literature
  • Adapting “The Great Gatsby”: Comparing the novel to its film adaptations
  • “The Great Gatsby” in popular culture: References, homages, and parodies
  • The continued relevance of “The Great Gatsby” in the 21st century
  • How “The Great Gatsby” reflects the cyclical nature of societal excess and downfall

Call to Action

Feeling overwhelmed? Our essay writing service at writeondeadline.com is here to help! Whether you need assistance in topic selection, research, or the entire essay, our team of experts can craft the perfect piece tailored to your needs.

Useful References:

  • The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald – Read the full novel for free on Project Gutenberg.
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald and the American Dream – A deep dive into the author’s perspective on the American Dream.
  • The Roaring Twenties and The Great Gatsby – Understand the historical context of the novel.

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It is not easy to create an essay about Gatsby, I confirm this, and I am going to share my experience with my readers. If you are required to make the great Gatsby essay, this guide will be helpful. I am a student, so I understand you well how you feel: you know about the assignment and cannot understand how to start. Yes, I was in your shoes and you should feel free to use my experience, and I hope that you will spend less time on your work than I did. I recommend reading the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald . Yes, you may say that you watched a movie but I assure you that it is different. It is great if you watched a famous movie about Gatsby with a great actor Leonardo DiCaprio but try to read the book! Believe me, it is a big difference between the book and movie as in the book, you can find much more details and descriptions that are skipped in the movie. Make sure you have received all detailed instructions from your teacher. I didn't think it is so important until I started to work on my essay and got some questions so I spent a lot of time trying to understand what to do. Eventually, I lost my hope, and I accidentally opened the requirements given by my teacher and found answers to all the questions I had. Funny, isn't it?  

How to Start the Great Gatsby Essay?

How to start an essay ? I guess this is the most popular question students have after they get this assignment and as I already mentioned before, your first step is to read the book. I suggest taking a pencil and paper and taking some notes during reading. It will help you to structurize everything better, plus you will be able to find some citations to use in your future essay much easier. At the beginning of your work, you have to make a good plan. Yes, like the most of the students, I hate planning, but they say it is the only way to fulfill the assignment within a deadline. So, count how many days you have, and make your own detailed plan of writing. Needless to say, every student may have their individual plan depending on their skills. It is my own plan:  

  • Reading a book (with notes) - 2 days
  • Choosing a good topic and brainstorming all my ideas - 1 day
  • Writing my work (approximately 1000 word essay ) - 3 days
  • Proofreading the finished paper - 1 day.

You can count easily - I spent around a week to create my own document. I spent more days because I lost a lot of time trying to find answers to questions that were just in my hands! It means you will need about 8-10 days to create a great work. I know some students practice writing their academic papers on the last night, and this is a very bad idea. All you can get is just a low grade.

Tips on Selecting the Great Gatsby Essay Topics

It is great when your teacher provides you with a list of interesting themes to write your great Gatsby essay. Sometimes, students have to choose their own topics. I appeared in the second situation, and I had to surf the Internet to find the great Gatsby essay topics. I found around 10 topics that turned my attention, and later selected one. Here is the list:

  • Was Gatsby in love with Daisy or he was deeply in love only with an idea of her?
  • In what ways Jay Gatsby is great. Does he deserve to be called great?
  • Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel “The Great Gatsby”.
  • A movie based on the book The Great Gatsby.
  • American dream essay in the novel The Great Gatsby.
  • How the writer shows the contrast between poor and rich?
  • The idea of the American Dream in Fitzgerald's novel.
  • Who can be blamed for the death of Gatsby?
  • The concept of happiness and wealth in The Great Gatsby.
  • Does love mean something in The Great Gatsby?

Hints on Creating a Successful Paper Without a Headache

From my own experience, it is not so hard to structure your work properly; these are the main steps I took:

  • I divided my work into three main paragraphs: the introduction, main part, and conclusion;
  • I used essay transition words to tie together paragraphs of my paper;
  • I wrote a detailed outline of the future document. At the start, it seemed to me just a waste of time, but it was helpful!
  • When I have finished the paper, I proofread it thoroughly to find mistakes. If honestly, I am not strong in grammar, so I used Grammarly software to check and correct errors.

How to Find the Great Gatsby Essay Examples?

When you are going to write a paper, reading successful examples can help you to find your own ideas and thoughts on how to create your paper. I spent some time searching the great Gatsby essay examples on the Internet and I did find some good examples that turned my attention. It is a sample I want to share with my readers. F. Scott Fitzgerald in his novel, The Great Gatsby shows us the American dream from different perspectives. We meet Jay Gatsby - a man who follows his dream too hard and is unable to understand his life of riches is false. In the novel, the author shows to us how crazy the desire of power and wealth is, how Jay destroys himself. Jay Gatsby truly believes his money makes him great. The man believes he could get anything he wants with his money. Gatsby even tries to fix his failures from the past with it. Gatsby tries to “buy” the love of Daisy who is obsessed with wealth and power just like him. Gatsby attempts to get anything to satisfy his desires, but he can't find happiness in his money. Gatsby loses the sense of his life. This is true - if a human can't reach happiness, the whole life seems boring and empty. Jay Gatsby's fate eventually was destroyed by money and power he always wished for. This story shows us the Jazz Age period in the United States, and the author portrayed all events and characters with detail and elaboration. Nick Carraway who just moved to New York, becomes neighbors with mysterious and rich Jay Gatsby who grabs readers' attention from the beginning. With Daisy Buchanan character, Fitzgerald shows us people of that time were seeking the American dream. Daisy cheats her husband with rich Gatsby because she loves money and luxury things. This behavior evokes negative emotions in readers and gives a lot of food for thoughts if to try to compare modern Americans and their values with those described in the book. Fitzgerald defines the American dream as a strong desire for imperialism and individualism. Though this dream is distorted, it's like Jay's dream to be with Daisy who betrays her lovely husband just because of her desire for money, luxury, and splendor. With this novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to create something extraordinary but simple. The book grabs your attention from the beginning and keeps in tension until the end. We don't like Daisy, Gatsby or even Nick but we are deeply involved in the book because the author succeeds to grab readers' attention. He showed us people can be so much empty and lonely that they are unable to find their dream and they even push it away when they finally move to it. Such a short story, but it's full of dreams and desires. I truly hope my experience was helpful. Writing is hard work, and it is worth the result. Feel free to use my advice or delegate this essay to StudyCrumb  to get a high grade!  

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Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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COMMENTS

  1. 196 The Great Gatsby Essay Titles and Examples - IvyPanda

    Looking for some creative titles for The Great Gatsby essay? There are many themes to explore about this novel. We offer you The Great Gatsby essay examples about symbolism, character analysis, the style of the novel, and many other topics.

  2. The Great Gatsby Essay Examples - GradesFixer

    Read our essay examples on The Great Gatsby to find inspiration and write your essay and know Gatsby's secret of brilliance and power.

  3. 153 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics | Titles for Research ...

    In the Great Gatsby essay topics below, you will find titles about the complex characters and their entwined destinies. We will write a custom essay on your topic tailored to your instructions!

  4. 20 The Great Gatsby Essay Topics - EssayStone

    Your essay should also have a title page that includes the title of your essay, your name, and the name of your class. If you are writing a longer essay (5 or more pages), you may need to also include a header on each page.

  5. The Great Gatsby: Suggested Essay Topics - SparkNotes

    How does Gatsby represent the American dream? What does the novel have to say about the condition of the American dream in the 1920s? In what ways do the themes of dreams, wealth, and time relate to each other in the novel’s exploration of the idea of America?

  6. The Great Gatsby: Mini Essays - SparkNotes

    In one sense, the title of the novel is ironic; the title character is neither “great” nor named Gatsby. He is a criminal whose real name is James Gatz, and the life he has created for himself is an illusion.

  7. The Great Gatsby: Essay Topics & Samples - Custom Writing Service

    Our topics and The Great Gatsby writing prompts can kickstart your creative process. They won’t limit the flight of your thought in any way: instead, they’ll show you the right direction to follow. You can also use our essay samples for inspiration or apply for professional writing help.

  8. The Great Gatsby Suggested Essay Topics - eNotes.com

    1. Write an essay analyzing the Gatsby-Trimalchio connection and its importance. Compare Trimalchio, the hero or protagonist of The Satyricon, to Gatsby.

  9. 100+ Great Gatsby Essay Topics and Ideas - Write On Deadline

    A “Great Gatsbyessay is an analytical or argumentative piece that delves into the themes, characters, symbols, and narrative techniques in Fitzgerald’s novel. From the opulent parties at Gatsby’s mansion to the faded eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg on a billboard, the novel offers a plethora of subjects ripe for exploration.

  10. How to Write Great Gatsby Essay: Guide & Examples - StudyCrumb

    Read about the real experience of a student who created the great Gatsby essay. The Great Gatsby is a well-known novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Students are often required to make a paper about this famous piece of literature.