and some other characters... Gatsby vs. Nick and some other characters...

The American Dream is what they aim for. What typically defines the American Dream? Let’s consider our major characters: What is each’s American Dream? Take 5 minutes, and find events that support these American Dreams.

Using your American Flag... In the stars, list characteristics or ideas that a character(s) values. On the stripes, list at least 4 quotes that support your ideas about your character(s) and his or her failing American dreams or values.

Nick (the pessimist) vs. Gatsby (the eternal optimist) On the back of your flag, make a T-chart or Venn Diagram that compares the two. Make this as comprehensive as possible! SOME BUT NOT ALL Passages to consider: Nick’s first assessment of Gatsby- Pg 2 Nick: bottom of pg.35 Gatsby’s parties (Chapter 3): appearance and behavior of guests and Nick Gatsby and Nick’s first meeting (Pg. 48) Nick’s view of Jordan’s dishonesty (Pg. 58) Nick’s view of Gatsby after more meetings/Persona of Jay Gatsby (Pg. 64) Flashback to Daisy and Gatsby’s relationship and Daisy’s marriage/life (Pg.74) Gatsby reunites with Daisy (Pg. 91-93, 95-96) The creation of Jay Gatsby (Chapter 6) Gatsby’s expectations of Daisy Mannerisms, possessions, views of others & world

Fitzgerald and his Characters Where do you see Fitzgerald represented in his characters? What might he be trying to express about these lifestyles?

Timed Writing •Your intros should include the following: the title of the text, the name of the author and a specific answer to the question. •Body paragraphs need to be structured using Toulmin/SEES and make a claim, support that claim with evidence and warrant that evidence back to the overall thesis. •Does the following intro and BP accomplish these tasks?

Complete Quote: “He talked a lot about the past, and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was. . . .” (110). In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald examines the impact and ramifications of the American dream. Through comparing Nick’s realistic pessimism and Gatsby’s extravagant optimism, Fitzgerald reveals that the American dream is dangerous and ill- defined. Gatsby’s belief that he can “ ‘repeat the past’ ” defines his life; it is an optimistic life ever-reaching for what it can’t have (110). It’s that over-reach that ultimate destroys Gatsby. Nick begins to realize this when he identifies Gatsby as someone who is “confused and disordered” (110). Gatsby’s confusion stems from his desire to “return to a certain starting place,” to return to his life and start it over again (110). This, of course, is impossible. Constantly searching for this impossibility ultimately destroys Gatsby and blinds him to reality. He believes he can do anything and he reaches for too much. Discuss this intro and first body. Positives and negatives?