1991. Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or play that contrasts two such places. Write an essay explaining how the places differ, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work.
In The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald, geography is used as a divider between the new rich and the old rich. Those born into their wealth reside in East egg, whereas those that have more recently earned their fortunes live in the West Egg. These contrasting places contribute to Fitzerald's portrayal of the heartlessness of the old aristocracy.
Although Fitzerald calls the West Egg the "less fashionable of the two", the people there are not pompous and greedy like those of East Egg. Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent the typical East Egg nobility, for they have had money all their lives, and consider themselves to be above those that have earned it themselves. They generally lack any moral principles, but find that they are obsessed with social status and looks. On the other hand, Nick Carraway, who lives in a more modest cottage next to Jay Gatsby on the West Egg. Characters here, like Nick, are seen as less sophisticated, or even very quirky like Gatsby, but generally more innocent than those of the East Egg. Ironically, Gatsby's money comes from his criminal activity, but he proves to be a loyal and sincere man as he goes to great lengths to protect the love of his life, Daisy.
Fitzgerald utilizes the geography to show American's newfound flawed view on moral values, and its overall decay into a greedy nation.
You show a good understanding of what the prompt wants, and I think you have definitely chosen a book that meets the requirements. I think you have really good ideas in your essay, especially how East and West Egg contrast the morals of old and new money. With that said, what this essay could most use is details. Broad claims such as "they generally lack moral principles" need to be supported with specific evidence to make a strong AP essay. Try to explain how Daisy and Tom are lacking in moral principle, or an example from the book where they are obsessed with social status. You have make sure you explain things fully, so your reader is not left to make inferences about what you know about the book. Additionally, once those details are added, I would work on organization, as even from an appearance standpoint, the essay looks lopsided. Your conclusion is a hanging sentence, which needs to be expanded and connected to the rest of the essay. Your main paragraph is a cluster of information that could be sorted into separate paragraphs, possibly one on East Egg and one on West Egg.
ReplyDeleteYour essay certainly has a good structure(introduction, explanation and conclusion）even though it's not lengthy. I really like your definitions of both east and west eggs. You use the knowledge of geography efficiently to support your thesis, which makes it stronger. You clearly understand the prompt and you're able to connect the dots between your knowledge and the circumstances in the book.Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI think you chose a great book for this prompt. You really know what is going on and what you are talking about, which is important. I agree with John, though, that you need a little more detail when you make broad statements. Other than that, nicely written :)
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