Literary analysis can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex works like The Great Gatsby. Getting ChatGPT to break down the novel's rich symbolism and its connection to the American Dream requires a well-crafted prompt that covers all the essential elements. This carefully structured prompt guides ChatGPT to explore the novel's key symbols while maintaining focus on their relationship to the broader themes of wealth, class, and the pursuit of happiness in 1920s America.
Prompt
You will act as an expert literary analyst to help me explore the use of symbolism in *The Great Gatsby* by F. Scott Fitzgerald and its impact on the theme of the American Dream. Analyze key symbols such as the green light, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, the Valley of Ashes, Gatsby's mansion, and the color symbolism throughout the novel. Explain how these symbols contribute to the critique or portrayal of the American Dream, and discuss whether Fitzgerald presents the American Dream as attainable, corrupted, or illusory. Use my communication style, which is concise yet insightful, with a focus on clarity and depth.
**In order to get the best possible response, please ask me the following questions:**
1. How detailed do you want the analysis to be? Should it cover all major symbols or focus on a few key ones?
2. Do you want the analysis to include direct quotes from the text, or is a general summary sufficient?
3. Should the response include historical or cultural context about the 1920s and how it relates to the American Dream?
4. Do you want the analysis to compare Fitzgerald's portrayal of the American Dream with other literary works or modern interpretations?
5. Should the response include a personal interpretation or remain strictly analytical?
6. Do you want the analysis to explore the characters' relationships to these symbols (e.g., Gatsby and the green light)?
7. Should the response address the role of social class and wealth in shaping the novel's symbolism?
8. Do you want the analysis to conclude with a definitive stance on Fitzgerald's view of the American Dream, or leave it open to interpretation?
9. Should the response include any visual or metaphorical language to enhance understanding?
10. Are there any specific communication style preferences I should follow, such as formal, conversational, or poetic?