The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Pre-Reading Discussion Questions What were the effects of Prohibition during the 1920s? Would it work today? WHY or WHY NOT? What is “the American Dream”? How do you think the concept of “the American Dream” has changed over time? What does it mean to be successful in America? Is there a dark side to achieving success in America? What role does social status (or class) play in our culture? In high school? Is “the American Dream” accessible to everyone, regardless of social status (or class)?

Pre-Reading Discussion Questions Is obsession ever a good thing? How important are money and prestige in achieving true happiness? When can dreams become destructive? What effect do you think materialism has on relationships? How do you think the institution of marriage is different today than it was during the 1920s? Is marriage dead? What are some issues facing married couples today? How true is it that we spend too much of our lives trying to convince others that we are something we’re not?

About the Author (Fitzgerald) 1896—1940 Considered “the chronicler of the Jazz Age” Best-selling author of the 1920s So to whom might we compare him today? Distant relative of Francis Scott Key Who wrote . . . ?? “The Star-Spangled Banner” Spent his final years in Hollywood writing screenplays Though just over forty years old, he looked decades older—the years of drinking and abusing his body had caught up with him.

Historical Context (Setting) WHEN: 1922 the flapper era; the Jazz Age; the Roaring Twenties WHERE: Long Island, New York Scandalous stories of that time period: Mob gangsters made millions gambling and bootlegging 1919—the World Series was “fixed” World War I Psychological effects on veterans . . . WHY? The Volstead Act of 1919 (Prohibition) How do you suppose this law made criminals (technically) out of almost everyone? How do you suppose it contributed to the decline of morals and values?

Themes Corruption of the “American Dream” Class (social status) wealth, greed, materialism, compromised morals and values Class (social status) old money, new money, no money Romance Adultery Past and Future Crash Course Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw9Au9OoN88

Characters in The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway Narrator Lives in the West Egg Tries to maintain his values Exists in a world of corruption Realizes shallowness of others Will he change?

Daisy Buchanan Nick’s cousin Tom’s wife—(They live in the East Egg.) In love with Gatsby--(She was his girlfriend years ago, before he left for the war.) Unreal and shallow Toys with the past and the present How might these things cause trouble or create conflict?

Tom Buchanan Daisy’s husband Ex-jock (football player); attended Yale University Born into wealth Hard, forceful, violent Very opinionated and self-centered Sexist, racist What do you suppose has caused him to be this way?

Myrtle Wilson Lives in “the Valley of Ashes”—the lower class part of town Married to George Wilson Mistress to Tom Buchanan Longs for a “better” life of materialistic things Manhattan apartment—paid for by Tom. How might she (from what you know now) represent corruption of “the American Dream”?

George Wilson Lives in “the Valley of Ashes”—the lower class part of town Working class—owns a garage Years of hard work with little or no gain have worn him down. Unaware of Myrtle’s affair with Tom Loves and adores his wife What is the dramatic irony here?

Jordan Baker Friend of Daisy’s Becomes Nick’s love interest Successful pro-golfer Beautiful and pleasant Yet shallow and, as Nick says, “incurably dishonest” Somewhat careless

and, of course . . . Gatsby Nick’s wealthy West Egg neighbor; owns a gigantic mansion Has become known for hosting huge parties every weekend Self-made man—has spent years acquiring his wealth Loses himself in a world of greed and corruption His lust for wealth stems from his desire to win back Daisy, whom he fell in love with years ago. Attempts to recapture the past with wealth and materialism

Point of View First-person Nick’s perception of Gatsby Nick Carraway’s point of view A reliable narrator whom the reader comes to trust Nick’s perception of Gatsby Admiration and intrigue Reminds the reader that despite Gatsby’s later foolish or corrupt acts, at the core, Gatsby is “great.” Nick’s perception of the Buchanans Harsh and disapproving Keeps the reader from liking them too much Shows the reader how corrupt and consumed they are with wealth and materialism

Symbolism the green light and the color green automobiles At the end of Daisy’s dock; Gatsby stares at it throughout the novel; it symbolizes his dream as well as hope. automobiles power, status symbols, success the Valley of Ashes a wasteland; an area of ruin; lower class society East Egg upper class society, glamour, and wealth West Egg upper-middle class society

More Symbolism the “eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg” billboard sign God’s eyes brooding over America Nick’s 30th birthday the passing of Nick’s youth and Gatsby’s dreams alcohol means of escape; moral decline of society action of the novel moral chaos 2013 Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7AFnJbETLw

Text-Dependent Questions for Chapters 1 & 2 Where in the first two chapters do questions of class, wealth, and privilege arise? Who’s rich and who’s poor here, and HOW DO YOU KNOW? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer. Nick isn’t exactly “poor,” but how is his money or status different from those of the other characters? Cite evidence from the text that suggests a difference in class between Nick and the other characters. RL.11-12.1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. RL.11-12.3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story—setting, plot development, character development, etc.

Setting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn0WZ8-0Z1Y