What does my teacher mean by this?

So I'm writing an essay on the great gatsby and I told my teacher about it via emai. (I'm doing online school) and this is what he told me...

Also, make sure you develop the theme more than merely "mortality." I always tell my students that something like "mortality" is more of a topic than a theme. What about "mortality"?

what does he mean on that? How can I expand it? English teachers out there... help?

1 answer

Your instructor is asking you to tell what this author's view of mortality is. Is it to be dreaded? Welcomed? Dark and sinister? etc.