A personal response to literature is a five paragraph essay where the author describes the affect a certain aspect of an author’s artistry had on him. There are two ways of completing this assignment, you may choose either. The first is reflective, which reads much like an essay. You will simply detail the affect an element of artistry the author used had on you following the outline below. The second is imaginative. With this approach, you will do your best to mimic an element of artistry that an author used.

QUESTION

Introduction: A personal response to literature is a five paragraph essay where the author describes the affect a certain aspect of an author’s artistry had on him. There are two ways of completing this assignment, you may choose either. The first is reflective, which reads much like an essay. You will simply detail the affect an element of artistry the author used had on you following the outline below. The second is imaginative. With this approach, you will do your best to mimic an element of artistry that an author used.

Instructions:

• – Find an element of artistry used by an author that we studied in quarter 3 that you would like to write about. Refer to the artistry sheet for more information or a refresher on what artistry is.
• – Please choose one of the approaches described above. You may pick either 1) reflective or 2) imaginative.
• – If you chose reflective, please follow the outline provided below.
• – For both essays, be sure to follow all MLA guidelines for headings and source citing.
• – You may use “I” and other personal pronouns in this paper due to its nature.Instructions for the Reflective Approach:

• – Write an introduction with a thesis that clearly states what element of artistry you will be reflecting on and how it bettered the piece of literature you are looking at.
• – In your first body paragraph, simply describe how the artistry affected you.
• – In your second body paragraph, explain how you think the artist intended to use thatelement to enhance their piece’s theme or meaning.
• – In your 3rd body paragraph, answer the question how did your experience with theauthor’s artistry convince you to agree or disagree with their theme or meaning?
• – Conclude by summarizing points and restating thesis in a different way.Instructions for Imaginative Approach:

• – Write a short blurb at the start of your paper that details which author, piece, and element of artistry you will be trying to replicate.
• – Write something, (a poem, a short story, a haiku, a script, etc.) that replicates the author’s artistry to the best of your ability.
• – Please keep imaginative submissions to less than 2 pages. (You may ignore the MLA rule on double spacing for imaginative pieces.)

– Since the guidelines for this approach are more ambiguous, please only attempt it if you feel comfortable identifying and understanding artistry and its impact on a reader.

ANSWER

Reflective Response to the Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”

Introduction

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel “The Great Gatsby,” the author masterfully employs symbolism to enrich the narrative and deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters and themes. The symbol I will be reflecting upon is the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock. This symbol had a profound impact on me as a reader, evoking a range of emotions and prompting contemplation about the illusory nature of the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness.

The presence of the green light in the novel had a mesmerizing effect on me as a reader. It served as a powerful visual representation of Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, shimmering across the water and capturing his relentless longing for a better future. Whenever the green light was mentioned or described, I felt a sense of awe and wonder, as if I were witnessing an ethereal beacon guiding Gatsby towards his aspirations (Ryder, 2020). This imagery created a profound emotional connection between the characters and myself, drawing me deeper into the story.

Fitzgerald intended to utilize the green light symbol to enhance the theme of the elusive and unattainable nature of the American Dream (Szántó, 2013). The green light represents Gatsby’s desire for wealth, status, and the love of Daisy, all of which seem just out of his reach. It embodies the idea that the pursuit of materialistic success and the longing for unrequited love can lead to a never-ending cycle of yearning and disillusionment. Through this symbol, Fitzgerald invites readers to question the true value of the American Dream and its consequences on individual happiness.

My experience with Fitzgerald’s artistry of using the green light symbol convinced me to reflect on the emptiness and inherent flaws of Gatsby’s dreams. The green light’s allure and Gatsby’s unwavering dedication to obtaining it made me sympathize with his yearning for a better life. However, as the story progressed, I realized that Gatsby’s pursuit was ultimately futile and destructive. The green light symbolized the superficiality of wealth and the illusion of happiness that often accompanies it. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby’s downfall left me questioning the validity of blindly pursuing material success and the importance of genuine connections and personal fulfillment.

Conclusion

In “The Great Gatsby,” Fitzgerald’s masterful use of symbolism, particularly the green light, enriched my reading experience and provoked contemplation about the complexities of the American Dream. The mesmerizing presence of the green light evoked a sense of longing and wonder, while its deeper symbolism allowed me to question the pursuit of materialistic aspirations. Through this reflection, I gained a deeper appreciation for Fitzgerald’s artistry and his ability to convey profound themes through the careful use of symbols.

References

Ryder, P. (2020). Dream Machines: The Motorcar as Sign of Conquest and Destruction in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. M/C Journal. https://doi.org/10.5204/mcj.1636 

Szántó G. (2013, May 6). Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. https://dea.lib.unideb.hu/items/3868a5f0-3eeb-4aff-b5ef-16ddf8af174c