Model Gatsby Outline

Here is a sample outline for a pretty basic paper on The Great Gatsby.

Intro: Discuss historical background of 1920's focus on wealth but don't cover the issues you will discuss in the body of the paper.

Thesis: Although Fitzgerald highlights the opportunities for new wealth in the 1920’s, the negative behaviors shown by those aspiring wealthy people and the reaction by old wealth society depict a deeply sick America.


I. Fitzgerald makes the opportunities for wealth clear throughout the novel
A. Fitzgerald uses imagery to show the wealth gained by people like Gatsby
a. Description of Gatsby's house
b. Metaphor of staircase
B. As a result, many types of people become wealthy
a. Lists names to show advancement of immigrants and professions
b. Meyer Wolfsheim ????


II. In Fitzgerald's view, those newly rich are often engaged in negative behaviors.




IV. In response the old rich try their best to keep the newly rich down
A. Look down on newly rich
B. Actively try to keep the new rich out of their circles


VI. Conclusion:
The resulting overall picture that Fitzgerald paints is very harsh
What is the big picture idea of what he is saying?
Do we still wrestle with these issues?
Do you agree with the vision he proposes?






Here is a sample outline for a more developed paper on The Great Gatsby.

Intro: Discuss historical background of 1920's focus on wealth but don't cover the issues you will discuss in the body of the paper.

Thesis: Although Fitzgerald highlights the opportunities for new wealth in the 1920’s, the negative behaviors shown by those aspiring wealthy people and the reaction by old wealth society depict a deeply sick America.

I. Fitzgerald makes the opportunities for wealth clear throughout the novel (TWO PARAGRAPHS?)
C. Fitzgerald uses imagery to show the wealth gained by people like Gatsby
a. Description of Gatsby's house
b. Metaphor of staircase
D. As a result, many types of people become wealthy
a. Lists names to show advancement of immigrants and professions
b. Meyer Wolfsheim ????


II. Those newly rich are often engaged in negative behaviors


III. Because of their desperate to join the upper levels of society, the people trying to become wealthy are even worse????.


IV. In response the old rich try their best to keep the newly rich down (TWO PARAGRAPHS?).
A. Look down on newly rich
B. Actively try to keep the new rich out of their circles


V. Conclusion:
The resulting overall picture that Fitzgerald paints is very harsh
What is the big picture idea of what he is saying?
Do we still wrestle with these issues?
Do you agree with the vision he proposes?