English 215 Spring 2015: February 2015

Illusion vs. reality is something that comes up in a lot of literature. We saw some in The Great Gatsby. Pick one aspect of a character’s life, whether it be from the past or the present, and explain how he/she uses illusions to distort their reality. Use examples from the texts along with outside sources to support your thesis.

2. Pick one or two of the many symbols from the novel and describe what it is important. What does this symbol mean in to this particular text? Use examples from the texts along with outside sources to support your thesis.

3. 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?

4. Is Nick a reliable narrator? We do not have much choice but to believe what he says throughout the novel so decide if he is and prove your point. Use examples from the texts along with outside sources to support your thesis.

5. Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom OR compare Gatsby to Charlie from Babylon Revisited.” How are they alike? How are they different? Given the extremely negative light in which Tom is portrayed throughout the novel, why might Daisy choose to remain with him instead of leaving him for Gatsby?

6. Jay Gatsby and Howard Hughes from The Aviator are both men with extreme wealth and clear issues with obsession in their lives. Compare and contrast the two characters. Talk about how obsession ruined their lives. Use examples from the texts along with outside sources to support your thesis.

Your introduction should include:

1) Title and authors of primary (stories we have read in class) texts

2) Your thesis (Which depends on the question you write about from above)

Never end a paragraph with a quote.
Cite outside sources within in your text; if it appears on your works cited page it has to be used in the paper (direct quotes or paraphrasing).
Always keep in mind: is this quote proving and supporting my thesis? If not, do not use it!
WITHOUT A WORKS CITED PAGE OR OUTSIDE SOURCES THE PAPER WILL FAIL

Obsession and Howard Hughes

All the links below deal obsession:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/fashion/obsessed-youre-not-alone.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/disorders/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-calla/the-difference-between-lo_b_562589.html

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-love-and-obsession/

http://www.sociopathworld.com/2011/04/power-and-obsessions.html

Howard Hughes:

http://www.biography.com/people/howard-hughes-9346282

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/chasingthesun/innovators/hhughes.html

http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug05/hughes.aspx