I'm a junior majoring in English and I have 3 more days to turn in a 5-page research paper, but I'm stuck on coming up with a thesis that incorporates a primary source analysis?

You should pivot from trying to summarize the entire Roaring Twenties and instead anchor your thesis in one specific, observable tension between a symbol in the text and a documented cultural value of the era. If you are struggling to connect the two, stop looking for broad thematic parallels and start looking for contradictions. For instance, consider how the green light or Gatsby’s car functions not just as a symbol of hope or wealth, but as a direct subversion of the era’s obsession with meritocracy or the "self-made man" myth. A strong thesis doesn't just state that the book reflects the decade; it argues that Fitzgerald uses a specific symbol to critique or complicate a particular societal expectation you discussed in class. Since you have three days, stop reading new material and focus entirely on the primary text. If you feel stuck, pick one symbol that feels most prominent and map out three moments where it appears. Ask yourself what that symbol is "doing" in those scenes—is it masking a character's insecurity, highlighting the hollowness of their luxury, or exposing the fragility of their social status? Once you identify the function of the symbol, link it to a specific historical concept like the rise of consumer culture or the shifting definition of the American Dream. Your thesis should look something like this: "By utilizing [symbol] as a manifestation of [historical concept], Fitzgerald argues that [character's] pursuit of status is ultimately [a specific critique]." Regarding the e-book you purchased, don't let the sunk cost distract you. If it doesn't offer a direct, usable insight that helps you build that bridge between the symbol and the historical context, set it aside. You have enough primary material in the novel itself to support a five-page argument without needing secondary sources that don't fit your specific angle. Prioritize your own analysis of the text over external commentary, as your professor is likely looking for your ability to synthesize class concepts with your own close reading. Trust your ability to pull an argument from the text itself, as that is always more persuasive than forcing a secondary source to fit a thesis that doesn't quite feel right.