Many different forms of literature deal with Aristotle’s concept of the tragic hero. hero. This concept is very prominent in the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Thesis: Even though it seems Jay Gatsby is larger than life, he is the epitome of a tragic hero. Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: Gatsby has flaws and his downfall is partly due to them Evidence 1: He used to be a bootlegger “‘I “‘I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him and I wasn’t far wrong’” pg.143 wrong’” pg.143 Evidence 2: He tries to steal Tom Buchanan’s wife “‘Your wife doesn’t love you,’ said Gatsby. ‘She’s never loved you. She loves me.’” Pg 139 Evidence 3: He puts too much stock in Daisy “...paid “ ...paid a high price for living too long with a single dream” pg 172 Body Paragraph 2
Topic Sentence: Gatsby is of noble stature and his punishment is not wholly deserved. Evidence 1: He is born to a poor family of famers “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people...” pg 105 Evidence 2: He does not go after multiple women. He only loves Daisy. “’...he’s read a Chicago paper for years just on the chance of catching a glimpse of Daisy’s name.’” pg. 86 Evidence 3: He does not deserve to die because he is protecting someone he loves. When Nick asks Gatsby if Daisy was driving the car that killer myrtle he says “‘Yes,’ “ ‘Yes,’ he said after a moment, ‘but of course I’ll say I was” pg 154 Body Paragraph 3
Topic Sentence: Gatsby learns from his mistakes – mistakes – there there is not total loss, and the audience feels optimistic at the end. Evidence 1: Gatsby comes to terms with what happened with Daisy and reality i n general. general. “He “He must have looked up at an unfamiliar sky through frightening leaves and shivered as he found what a grotesque thing a rose is and how raw the sunlight was upon the scarcely created grass” pg. 172
Evidence 2: At least Tom and Daisy can continue with their lives. “they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together” pg.191 Evidence 3: Nick feels very optimistic about the future “...tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...” pg 193 Conclusion Restated thesis: Jay Gatsby is the perfect example of a tragic hero.
