ESSAY OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION

Hook: Dreams can be realized, but the premise is that dreams should conform to the

development trend of the times.

Background Information: In the late 20th century, the United States thrived after World

War I, becoming a global powerhouse during the "Jazz Age." This era was marked by

economic prosperity, optimism, and vibrant jazz music. However, it all came crashing

down with the Wall Street crash in 1929, setting the stage for "The Great Gatsby."

Thesis (what will you prove): Dreams and reality are not completely contradictory. There

can be a balance between the two.

Three Pieces of Supporting Evidence:

Body 1: illusory, unrealistic dreams and dreams that are out of step with the

development trend of the times will eventually lose to reality.

Body 2: Realistic dreams that conform to the development trend of the times are likely

to be realized.

Body 3:Too much desire will also lead to the conflict between dream and reality
 BODY #1

Evidence #1 (Topic Sentence) :

Unrealistic pursuit of dreams is only self-deception, dreams should be combined with

reality.

Details: 1. Gatsby's dream of love and wealth clashed with the era's materialistic values,

leading to its failure.

2. Gatsby's dream failed in a materialistic era where social class was rigid, but he stood

apart from the crass materialism and pursued his dream with unwavering bravery and

integrity.

3. Because Gatsby's dream did not conform to the trend of the development of the

times. Gatsby is the non-mainstream of this era. He was not born rich, not like other

upper class in the society( people who were born rich), nor was his untimely dream.

These all infringed on the interests of the upper class. Of course, he would be regarded

as a threat by others and eradicated later.

Quote from the Novel:

‘ Tom,’ I inquired, ‘what did you say to Wilson that afternoon?’

He stared at me without a word and I knew I had guessed right about those missing

hours. I started to turn away but he took a step after me and grabbed my arm.
‘I told him the truth,’ he said. ‘He came to the door while we were getting ready to leave

and when I sent down word that we weren’t in he tried to force his way upstairs. He was

crazy enough to kill me if I hadn’t told him who owned the car. His hand was on a

revolver in his pocket every minute he was in the house——’ He broke off defiantly.

‘What if I did tell him? That fellow had it coming to him. He threw

dust into your eyes just like he did in Daisy’s but he was a tough one. He ran over

Myrtle like you’d run over a dog and never even stopped his car.’

There was nothing I could say, except the one unutterable fact that it wasn’t true.

------(Fitzgerald chapter 9, 190)

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

Gatsby's pure dream was destroyed by Daisy and Tom, leading to his death at the

hands of Wilson. This tragedy symbolizes the clash between the ideal American dream

and harsh reality. Gatsby's death reflects a broader theme of the fading American

dream, and the truth remains concealed, much like the unwillingness to acknowledge

societal inequality and the loss of the American dream.

Quote from the Source:

Yuan Shikai restored the monarchy.

Yuan Shikai, a man of the moment in modern Chinese history, was the leader of the

Northern Warlords of the Qing Dynasty. During the revolution of 1911, he personally

forced the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin Juero Puyi, to abdicate, and later
became the first president of the Republic of China. In addition, when he stole the fruits

of the revolution of 1911 and was lucky to become the president of the Republic of

China, in order to maintain his so-called ruling position and fool the people, he vainly

tried to numb and weaken the people's revolutionary morale by "respecting Confucius

and reading scriptures". However, Yuan Shikai, who had become president, announced

his restoration in December 1915 and called himself Emperor.

--------《General history of China》·volume 9, chapter 23

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

Yuan Shikai's ambition to become emperor was a grave misjudgment that went against

the democratic and republican ideals embraced by the Chinese people after the 1911

revolution. This disconnect from the historical trend led to widespread opposition,

culminating in his downfall and suicide. His dream was out of step with the times and

ultimately shattered. Concluding Sentence: Dreams that are out of step with the

development trend of the times will eventually lose to reality.

BODY #2

Evidence #2 (Topic Sentence) :

Realistic dreams that conform to the development trend of the times will not conflict with

reality.

Details: 1. In the Jazz Age after World War I, the upper class, exemplified by characters

like Tom and Daisy, pursued wealth, fame, and social status. They lived for the

moment, indulging in extravagant parties and sensory pleasures like drugs and alcohol

to escape responsibility, fueled by societal prosperity and post-war boredom.

 2. Daisy is driven by vanity and a relentless pursuit of wealth and status, aligning

with the societal trend of pursuing material satisfaction. She maintains her relationship

with Tom to enjoy the benefits of fame, wealth, and social status.

3. Tom Buchanan, a millionaire with a privileged background, shared Daisy's

dream of pursuing wealth, high social status, and vanity. His dream succeeded, fitting

the era's hedonistic social trends, and his inherited wealth had already brought him

fame and a place in the upper class.

Quote from the Novel:

‘Her voice is full of money,’ he said suddenly. --------------(Fitzgerald chapter7 , 128)

It passed, and he began to talk excitedly to Daisy, denying everything, defending his

name against accusations that had not been made. But with every word she was

drawing further and further into herself, so he gave that up and only the dead dream

fought on as the afternoon slipped away, trying to touch what was no longer tangible,

struggling unhappily, undespairingly, toward that lost voice across the room. The voice

begged again to go. ‘PLEASE, Tom! I can’t stand this anymore.’ Her frightened eyes

told that whatever intentions, whatever courage she had had, were definitely gone.

--------------(Fitzgerald chapter7 , 144)

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

In that era of materialism and pleasure, there was no chance to have a good love

dream. When Daisy heard that Gatsby had made a huge fortune by doing illegitimate

business, she resolutely chose to give up Gatsby and stay with old money Tom.

Gatsby's dream was to break class differences, which was impossible in that era, just as
the American dream was also shattered. Daisy is very realistic her dream and pursuit

are just money, vanity, and social status.

Quote from the Source:

Microsoft announced late on Monday (September 2, 2013) that it would acquire most of

Nokia's mobile phone businesses at a price of 3.79 billion euros (about $ 5 billion), and

purchase Nokia's patent licenses at a price of 1.65 billion euros (about $2.18 billion).

Therefore, the total price of this transaction is about 5.44 billion euros (about $7.17

billion).

----------------The New York Times, September 2,2013

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

Nokia, a former mobile market leader, resisted change and innovation, leading to its

acquisition by Microsoft. Unlike Apple, which simplified its product line and made

innovative improvements, Nokia failed to adapt to the evolving smartphone industry,

lacking distinct features and falling behind the times.

Concluding Sentence:

People can't be too stubborn when dreaming, dreams should be combined with reality

and conform to the development trend of the times, otherwise, dreams that develop

against the times will eventually be defeated by the tide of the times.

BODY #3
Evidence #3 (Topic Sentence) The so-called dreams of the main characters in the novel

should be called desire and too much desire will also lead to the conflict between dream

and reality.

Details: 1. Gatsby's dream is not just a dream but a desire to change his identity,

moving from poverty to the upper class. His pursuit of Daisy may be about proving his

own worth and identity rather than genuine love.

2. I think Gatsby was a person with an empty heart from beginning to end. His so-called

dream is to join the upper class of society and let old money recognize him. Daisy is just

a representative of old money.

3. Through Gatsby, in the process of pursuing his unrealistic dream, we can learn that

money or status can make people strong for a while, but they can't stand the long-term

test of reality.

Quote from the Novel:

He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: ‘I never loved

you.’ After she had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon

the more practical measures to be taken. One of them was that, after she was free, they

were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house—just as if it were five

years ago.

--------(Fitzgerald chapter 6,118)

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

Gatsby's desire is to satisfy his vanity. If he really loves Daisy, when Daisy is willing to

elope with him, he will be willing to choose to elope. Because if he loves the time with
Daisy, eloping is a good choice. And he doesn’t need to face Daisy's husband and

secular pressure. But Gatsby didn't. He asked Daisy to stay with him, choose him again,

and stand with him to hurt her original husband Tom. Maybe Gatsby will gain self-

esteem and pretend that he didn't lose to Tom at the beginning.

Daisy was born into a lady of a large family, while Gatsby was born into poverty.

Gatsby's infatuation with Daisy is actually the pursuit of class upgrading and the desire

to change his own class and birth destiny.

Quote from the Source:

Hitler dreamed of conquering the world and launching World War II, which caused great

disasters for mankind. Finally, under the joint attack of the Soviet Union and the Allied

forces, he was defeated and killed himself.

--------The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich (William.L.Shirer) volume6,chapter31

Explain How the Quote Supports Your Point:

Hitler’s dream was to rule the world, but his desire was far too much, he even betrayed

and deceived all his life. For his own interests and desires, he did not hesitate to

deceive the German people and instill all kinds of extreme ideas into them; For the

benefit of domestic capital giants, he distorted class contradictions into national

contradictions, which made six million Jews and the poor people of immeasurable other

nationalities unable to enjoy their lives. Finally, he paid his life for his desire.

Concluding Sentence: There will be a conflict between dreams and reality if you have a

dream with too much desire.

 CONCLUSION

Restate Thesis: Dreams and reality are not completely contradictory. There can be a

balance between the two.

Summarize your Evidence:

1. Unrealistic pursuit of dreams is only self-deception, dreams should be combined with

reality.

2. Realistic dreams that conform to the development trend of the times will not conflict

with reality.

3. Too much desire will also lead to a conflict between dreams and reality.

Extend, go beyond, larger meaning:

Gatsby's greatness lies in his passionate heart, but he's flawed with low self-esteem

and stubbornness. He aspires to rise socially without losing his integrity, but his birth

sets him apart from the upper class. His dream is ultimately shattered, reflecting the

clash between his idealism and the realities of his time.