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I don't beat around the bush. My advice may be harsh, but I'm not sugarcoating anything to keep your bouncy, sticky-capped ego from being hurt.

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If you've read "The Great Gatsby" please help me out here!!

We've been having to do this "Great Gatsby" essay in class. Well one of the prompts, I didn't exactly understand, so I thought I would do it at home, that way I could concentrate, go online, do research and stuff. But I've been doing it for the past hour and I can't find or think of anything. I have no idea what the answer is! I don't want you to write the paragraph for me or anything, I just want some guidelines and explanation. If you can help, that would be awesome.

Here's the prompt: A tragic hero is one who is destined to die due to some flaw in their behavior and/or personality. How is Gatsby a tragic hero, who is most responsible for his death and how does his death tie in with the thesis?

I know George Wilson shot Gatsby, but is he totally responsible for it? And what was Gatsby's flaw that makes him a tragic hero? I can't think of anything!!

Before I go off into my explaination, the next time you're stumped on an assignment, try going to sparknotes.com - there are discussion boards there that can probably provide you with the answer you're looking for.

With this question you have to go below the surface and not look at how Gastby was killed, but why it happened.

Gatsby is incredibly naive. Look at his relationship with Daisy; he even states that he thinks it's possible to turn back time. Gastby's not willing to face reality.

Here are some questions that will hopefully get you on the right track.

- What did Gastby devote himself to after the war?
- Why did he throw lavish parties every night?
- Why did he not invite Daisy to these parties?
- Why would Gastby take the blame for Myrtle's death when Daisy was really the one who hit her?

After you have answered these questions try figuring out how his reactions to these situations relate to his personality and why they make him (or do not make him) a tragic hero.

After that come up with a preliminary thesis, outline your essay, and start looking for evidence to back up your points.

Good luck.

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(Rating: 5) Thank you. You've helped a lot!
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