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Pablo Carranza
Mr. Choi
English 11
March 27, 2016
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is an American novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Throughout the
novel various themes are presented through the use of numerous symbols and symbolism. One
very intriguing and discussed theme is the differences between the social classes in the novel. In
the novel there are three classes represented: the newly rich, the poor/middle class, and the
rightfully rich or as they are more commonly named, those with old money. Each of these three
has a specific symbol attributed to them.
In East Egg, the land of old money, people like Tom and Daisy live and look down upon
anyone who doesn't live up to their standards. East Egg East and West Egg represent the split
among upper class society of old-monied, aristocratic families and the newly rich. Having old
money was considered more respectable than having new money.
In West Egg, the land of the newly rich, people like the great Jay Gatsby and Nick
Carraway live. The inhabitants of West Egg are often looked down upon because their money has
only been through one generation of a family and not multiple like old-monied East Egg. "I lived
at West Egg, the, well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to
express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" (Fitzgerald 5). Nick himself
admits that a social difference exists between the two eggs. In the novel the two eggs are
separated by a body of water, this separation further emphasizes the distinction between the two
classes.

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East and West Egg are connected by a rather forgetful and unfortunate place named The
Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes is described by Nick as A fantastic farm where ashes grow
like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and
chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of ash-grey men, who move
dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. (Fitzgerald 23). The Valley of Ashes
represents absolute poverty and hopelessness. Myrtle is a prime example of what the common
resident of The Valley of Ashes thinks. She cheats on her husband countless times with Tom. In
her mind she is cheating because being with a man a higher class for a few hours a week gives
her the impression that she is of that class. Even though she knows it will only be a matter of
time before Daisy finds out the satisfaction she gets from being with Tom is a feeling to die for.
The green light can be interpreted in many ways as it is one of the many unique symbols
in The Great Gatsby. The green light for Gatsby represented the perfect life for him, the
ascendence to the highest social status. He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a
curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I
glanced seawardand distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away,
that might have been the end of a dock. (Fitzgerald 21). The green light represented the idea of
being able to once again be with Daisy and marrying her. The first time Gatsby is seen in the
novel he is seen reaching out to the green light almost as if hes praising it. As long as the green
light shined, Gatsbys hopes and dreams remained alive. Green in this novel represents money so
it's no coincidence that the light which Gatsby seems to worship is also green.
In the end The Great Gatsby does an excellent job at describing the social and
aristocratical differences in a post World War I society. East and West Egg both have their

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respective flaws as well as The Valley of Ashes, this book is still relevant today as the differences
in society are quite similar.
15.25 out of 16

Literary Analysis Essay Rubric

Score
4

Thesis and Focus

Clear and well-

Organization
Clear sense of structure;

Development
Develops and supports

Use of Language
Uses academic language

written thesis

begins with a thesis in

each main idea with clear throughout essay; uses clear

statement; essay

introduction and topic

and appropriate

and proper syntax; minimal to

remains focused

sentence in body

examples; elaborates on

no grammar and spelling

throughout

paragraphs; Supporting

examples with consistent errors throughout essay

points are presented in a

focus on thesis statement

logical progression with

transition sentences
3

Clear thesis

Overall sense of

statement; remains

structure;begins with a thesis most of the main ideas

generally throughout essay;

focused throughout

in introduction and topic

with examples; few

has few syntactical and

most of essay; very

sentence in body

examples lacks

grammatical errors; few

few sections off-topic

paragraphs; Supporting

elaboration and

spelling errors throughout

points are generally

explanation; for the most essay

presented in a logical

part focuses on thesis

progression with transition

through explanations of

sentence
Logic of argument is

examples
Few examples provided to

several areas of informal

thesis statement; often minimally perceivable.

support main ideas; poor

language used; various unclear

lacks focus throughout Points presented in a

choice and/or use of

and syntactical issues; multiple

essay

seemingly random fashion,

examples to support thesis spelling errors throughout essay

thesis statement is

but all support argument.

Lacks clear organizational

minimal or no existing

Lacks use of academic language

unclear and

plan. Difficult to follow and

examples; unfocused in

throughout essay; multiple

unidentifiable; poor

lacks basic essay structure

explanations of any existing syntactical and grammar issues;

Underdeveloped

focus throughout
entirety of essay; does
not respond to essay
prompt

Develops and supports

examples

Uses academic language

multiple spelling errors leading

to difficulty of reading essay