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Should The Great Gatsby Be Taught In 10th Grade Literature?

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Known as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, The Great Gatsby by F. Scoot Fitzgerald has created controversy in 10th grade literature realm. Due to the questionable morals and adult symbolism, many critics are concerned about the influence the book may have on teenage readers. However, many supporters have pointed out that these thematic elements are a warning rather than an invitation. The Great Gatsby should be taught in in 10th grade literature, due to the literary, contemporary and historical value of the book which far outweighs the negative aspects. The Great Gatsby has immense literary value. Entwined throughout the book is a poetic journey masterly painted by Fitzgerald. For example, “A fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens…of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powder air,” (Fitzgerald 23). The author skillfully weaves poetry with other literary devices in this excerpt. He shows personification through the embodiment of ash into men, alliteration with grotesque gardens and imagery with ashes growing like wheat and powdered air. Another example is found in the use of oxymorons such as, “Mr. Wolfsheim… began to eat with ferocious delicacy,” (Fitzgerald 71). The literary devices, throughout book, teach 10th graders often hard and confusing concepts and enrich learning. To conclude, The Great Gatsby should be taught because of its literary value. Additionally, The Great Gatsby also has contemporary value. Throughout the pages, many life lessons can be learned. One of these is the American dream and the concept that money can buy everything, even happiness. However, in the book, readers learn money doesn’t always equate to happiness and the reverse can also be true. In The Great Gatsby it reads, “It was after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass, the holocaust was complete,” (Fitzgerald 162). Gatsby was living the American dream, rich and having lavish parties every night, all without working. Wilson was a poor mechanic who just lost his life. Though they may be at societal extremes, Gatsby and Wilson had one thing in common--death. Though Gatsby

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