The following three paragraphs are from a literary analysis essay. What
order should they appear in?
I. In this 1925 novel, Fitzgerald creates sensory overload, filling his pages
with flamboyant descriptions of sound as well as overwhelming material
beauty. This sense of overwhelmingness is one way Fitzgerald suggests
that great riches are not entirely positive. Additionally, the shadowy filler
characters who lack personality and individuality demonstrate that overt
affluence can attract fortune seekers and prevent authentic friendships.
The mysteriousness of Gatsby himself draws a parallel to faceless
American prosperity, and the final tragedy leads the reader to question the
purpose of affluence.
II. The fact that Fitzgerald approaches this issue from the standpoint of one
experiencing the prosperity of the Roaring 20s strengthens the potency of
this proclamation against the evils of excess wealth. His successful use of
flashy imagery and conformist characters clearly communicates a warning
against purposeless, directionless riches - a warning that modern-day
Americans would do well to heed.
III. As America has grown more prosperous as a nation, some have tried to
raise awareness of the dangers of excess wealth. That is exactly what F
Scott Fitzgerald does in The Great Gatsby, which features a young
millionaire hungry for even more wealth and power. Vibrant sensory images
and vague characterization help Fitzgerald's novel succeed in making a
radical social statement concerning senseless wealth.