English Literature NEA

For my NEA i'm comparing "The Great Gatsby" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray". my general idea for a question is how both authors explore the truth and lies.
i want to include how a lavish lifestyle is used to cover up for their sadness or vanity. Specifically i wanted to explore how this hides their homosexual tendencies.
i need to create a plan for this question but i'm not too sure how to. if anyone can help me create it i would really appreciate it!

Reply 1

Tramar

Original post by 18salahl

For your NEA I recommend starting with a simple structure - see below for an example.

Intro: Introduce the texts, authors, and your thesis. Your thesis could be about how in both cases the use opulence to hide the truth and how the characters’ are deeply sad and hide their homosexuality.

Thematic Comparison:

Explore the theme of truth and dishonesty. Explain how in both novels the characters have a double life.

Analyze how Fitzgerald and Wilde use their characters’ wealth to cover personal insecurities and societal taboos.

Character Analysis:

Gatsby: Explore what his parties, wealth, and relationship says about him.

Gray: Explain his transformation under Lord Henry’s influence and how his external beauty contrasts with his internal corruption.

Symbolic Elements:

The Green Light in Gatsby: Symbolizes Gatsby’s unreachable dreams and illusions.

10.

The Portrait in Dorian Gray: Represents Dorian’s hidden sins and true self deteriorating over time.

11.

Conclusion: Summarize how both authors critique the societal norms of their times through the lives of their protagonists and what are the consequences of giving a lie for social acceptance.

12.

Bibliography: List of other literary analyses that discuss themes of sexuality, identity, lying that back your point of view.

You can start with this, have a rought first draft, dont spend too much time analysing, just start writing a first few bullet points and then use Tilf website to get feedback and mark on this so you have a benchmark and you just keep improving it. I don't think Tilf has NEA but you might be able to use the Literature A Level AQA mark scheme at least for the feedback.