Has anyone read the book? I have to write a Literary Analysis essay on the use of symbols and motifs in the book with evidence to support the idea that the novel shows the American Dream is corrupt. I've read the book, I'm just a bit stuck as far as motifs go.

For symbols, I've picked out, the green light, the car, and the pool. For motifs, I have cheating and the parties. I need at least one more motif before I can compose my outline and my thesis. I'm not sure what category this would fall under because it seems like it could be both, what the wealth fall under? There are several times in the book where it is portrayed that the people of West Egg are very materialistic, I just can't decide whether to categorize it as a symbol or motif.

Any help?

Yeah, Junior year English.. That was almost 3 1/2 years ago. I don't remember the book that much. The book was confusing, I remember that much. The motif is Gatsby living the American Dream, moving from the East to the West, and getting everything.

I think that was it... man, don't quote me on that. Try sparknotes.com though, it can be really helpful. I think I may have a forum post on there for this book, so I'm going to check.Only thing remained of mine was on Beowulf.

^ That it is. It's going to be so hard to compile this essay. :/

I finished my outline, any criticism thus far? I'd really appreciate it.

I HATED THAT BOOK SO F*CKING MUCH. I WANTED TO SHOOT IT STAB IT AXE IT SHOOT IT BURN IT SHOOT THE ASHES AND DROWN IT.

Yeah...hate.

I currently love you right now.

And TJ! We can dooooo it. Hahaha.

If your essay/paper is supposed to be in MLA format, that is not.

I could be wrong, but I think that's an outline.

It's an outline. I wanted to have an outline compiled so I wouldn't have much difficulty writing the paper.

Yea, the outline is considered part of the essay. But I meant for the actual structure of the outline, which is probably the same in the actual essay. Some elements are in the wrong places, and you should never try and make it on two pages. They're not meant to look pretty, and you forgot a conclusion.

Uhm...I read the book like, over a year ago in high school, but it was one of my favorite books from what I can remember. I wrote a paper similar to yours back then, so yeah.

If you need another symbol, I'd choose Gatsby's former lover (I think her name was Daisy?). She picked Tom over Gatsby b/c of her need to be loved & his wealth was more immense than Gatsby's. Tom was the quintessential society boy with old money status that could help Daisy achieve her American Dream. Also, to me, her death along with Gatsby's was what was implied to be the death of the "American Dream", b/c the time period is set right before the Great Depression.

& if you need another motif, I think geography would be a good one. Use the Valley of Ashes & compare West Egg vs East maybe.

Hope this helps