Synthesis paper on the American dream using blindside and the great gatsby, Prompt: One of the most challenging, illuminating, and valuable cognitive skills you will practice in college will be synthesis—the act of making connections between two or more different texts in order to enhance your (and the reader’s) understanding of each. This paper differs from the previous two essays in that I am stipulating that you use (and cite) at least one additional text and at least one scholarly article in addition to the literary work(s) you are analyzing (This work must be a work we've covered this semester). The additional text must be a text that provides a cultural, historical, or artistic link to the work of literature you've chosen from what we've read this semester—there must be an inter-textual relationship to which you may draw attention. In other words, one text is illuminated in light of the other. Types of texts could include but are not limited to the following:
• a piece of music
• a nonfiction essay
• a speech
• a film
• a painting or other piece of art
• historical research
Your thesis statement in the essay should present the relationship between the literary and additional text or explain how one enhances our understanding of the other. Your body paragraphs should support the thesis by providing specific examples of how both texts correspond to each other.
Requirements: Your paper must include an introduction, a thesis with a "so what," a topic sentence for each body paragraph (you must have at least three body paragraphs), evidence to support the topic sentence, a conclusion, and a works cited page that lists a citation for the work of literature, a citation for the nonliterary text, and a citation for any other work you might consult.. Focus specifically on developing a single topic per paragraph and on providing a "so what" (a reason this argument matters and is relevant) for your discussion. Be sure to provide evidence from the texts to support each claim. Use academic, formal language and correct English grammar. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the assignment.
Source Requirements: You must use at least three different sources: (1) the literary work you've chosen from what we've covered this semester; (2) one scholarly source from the library's databases or book stacks that provides cultural, historical, or artistic insight for the argument you're making; and (3) the additional text you're using to synthesize with the literary work from our semester's reading list. You must have at least two direct quotes. You may have more, but your paper should have no more than 19% quoted material. You may also summarize and paraphrase, but neither counts as one of your two direct quotes. Be sure to cite all quotations, summaries, and paraphrases. All of your sources must be from the library book stacks or the library databases. Every source on the works cited page must be referenced in the text. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated.
The American Dream: A Synthesis of "Blindside" and "The Great Gatsby"
Introduction
The concept of the American Dream has been deeply ingrained in the fabric of American society for centuries. It is a belief that anyone, regardless of their social background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. This paper aims to explore the idea of the American Dream by synthesizing two literary works - "Blindside" by Michael Lewis and "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Additionally, it will draw upon an additional text, the film adaptation of "Blindside," to provide a cultural link between the two literary works.
Thesis Statement
Through a comparative analysis of "Blindside," "The Great Gatsby," and the film adaptation of "Blindside," it becomes evident that both literary works explore the complexities and limitations of the American Dream. While "Blindside" emphasizes the importance of opportunity and personal connections, "The Great Gatsby" highlights the dark underbelly of the dream, revealing its emptiness and unattainability for some.
Body Paragraph 1: The Importance of Opportunity and Personal Connections
In both "Blindside" and "The Great Gatsby," the significance of opportunity and personal connections in achieving the American Dream is evident. In "Blindside," Michael Oher, a talented football player from a disadvantaged background, is given an opportunity to excel when he is taken in by a wealthy family. Through their support and mentorship, he is able to unlock his potential and ultimately secure a college scholarship.
Similarly, in "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby's rise to wealth and success is largely attributed to his personal connections. Gatsby dedicates his life to reinventing himself and acquiring wealth in order to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. However, despite his extravagant parties and opulent lifestyle, Gatsby is unable to fully realize his American Dream due to the limitations imposed by his social background.
Body Paragraph 2: The Illusion of the American Dream
While both literary works portray the pursuit of the American Dream as an aspirational goal, they also expose its illusory nature. In "Blindside," the film adaptation further emphasizes this by showcasing the stark contrast between Michael's success on the football field and his struggle to fit into an affluent and predominantly white community. Despite achieving recognition as a talented athlete, Michael is still treated with suspicion and prejudice, highlighting the inherent limitations of the American Dream for individuals from marginalized backgrounds.
Similarly, in "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald presents a world of excess and glamour that masks profound emptiness and moral decay. The characters in the novel, including Gatsby himself, become victims of their own illusions, desperately chasing dreams that ultimately prove unattainable. The American Dream, as portrayed in the novel, is revealed as a shallow and hollow pursuit leading to disillusionment.
Body Paragraph 3: Societal Inequality and the American Dream
Both "Blindside" and "The Great Gatsby" shed light on the issue of societal inequality and its impact on the American Dream. In "Blindside," Michael's success story is seen as an exception rather than the norm, highlighting the systemic barriers that hinder social mobility for many individuals. The film adaptation further emphasizes this by contrasting Michael's journey with that of his peers who are trapped in cycles of poverty and limited opportunities.
Likewise, in "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald exposes the stark divisions between socioeconomic classes in 1920s America. The excessive wealth and extravagant lifestyles of characters like Gatsby and Daisy are juxtaposed against the poverty and despair experienced by characters like George Wilson. This stark contrast demonstrates how societal inequality undermines the promise of the American Dream for those on the lower rungs of the social ladder.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
through a synthesis of "Blindside," "The Great Gatsby," and the film adaptation of "Blindside," it becomes apparent that both literary works offer nuanced perspectives on the American Dream. While "Blindside" highlights the importance of opportunity and personal connections, "The Great Gatsby" exposes the illusionary nature of the dream and its inherent limitations. Ultimately, both works shed light on societal inequality as a significant obstacle to achieving the American Dream for all individuals. These texts serve as a reminder that while the American Dream may be an ideal worth pursuing, it is essential to critically examine its complexities and address systemic barriers in order to make it more accessible to all.