Should The Great Gatsby Be Taught In High School?

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The Great Gatsby, written by Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, has stood as a principle of educational literature since the 1950s and should continue to be taught in high school. The novel tells a story about Jay Gatsby and his desire for Daisy Buchanan to achieve the ideology of the American Dream. Although The Great Gatsby has had mixed reviews since its publication, it offers an excellent portrayal of literary use, critical thinking, and social dynamics. Also, a principal role of literature in education is its ability to persuade, inform, and entertain, which The Great Gatsby does a great job capturing within its story, allowing students to learn and engage. First and foremost, literary use helps students better understand complex text, leading to better analytical abilities. Through reading …show more content…

In Five Reasons 'Gatsby' is the Great American Novel, it states, “For Fitzgerald's fans, it's the language. ‘Fitzgerald had a pitch-perfect ear,’ says West. ‘There's not one flabby sentence,’ says Nilsson.” Fitzgerald wants to provide a visual representation of his book, and that’s why many fans enjoy the language. By incorporating The Great Gatsby into the High School curriculum, students will gain a better understanding and use of literary devices. While some argue that The Great Gatsby is suited for a younger audience, others argue the book is best read by an older audience. The book explores mature content, inducing themes of materialism, infidelity, and abuse, which may not be suitable for high school students. In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan is a hostile character who uses domestic violence to mistreat women throughout the book. Reading this throughout the book can be harmful or discomforting for students. However, The Great Gatsby creates valuable lessons for young readers that can foster critical thinking skills and cultivate literary analysis skills. In conclusion, The Great Gatsby should continue to be taught in high