1. The Great Gatsby HO72 Drama and prose post-1900 (Component 02)
Lesson 5
LO: In this lesson you will:
Analyse the language used to describe Gatsby’s party
Consider the techniques Fitzgerald uses to create Gatsby’s character
Explore the themes of illusion and isolation
Chapter 2

2. Who is Jay Gatsby? AO2 Eponymous character:
I’m Gatsby
Eponymous character:
The title character of the work e.g. Gatsby in The Great Gatsby

3. Rumour and Mystery
AO2
Work in pairs. Identify all of the examples of different rumours that are circulating about Gatsby’s past life. Which are most likely to be accurate?
What is the relevance of ‘Owl Eyes’?
Killed a man, german spy, oxford man, dim background, foreshadow, illusion

4. The mysterious Gatsby
AO2
Whilst we have already glimpsed Gatsby, this is the moment Nick finally meets him, but he doesn’t even realise.
Collect and annotate quotations which depict:
His physical appearance
His deliberately crafted persona
Summarise your impressions of Gatsby in your reading journal.
illusion

5. The Party
AO2
The poetic language lends a magical atmosphere to the parties. Find examples of the following in the description:
Poetic imagery
List form
Changes of pace
Sharp contrast
What is the effect of each of these?
How does the film also convey these ideas?
Blue gardens, whisperings and the champagne and the stars, sight, sound taste, initially sees all far away, then becomes alive with chatter and laughter. Drunkeness to show hedonism, contasrast between bad behaviour and magical surrounding

6. Glamour and Bad Behaviour
AO2/3
Underneath all the glamour, Gatsby’s party is full of bad behaviour. Collect evidence to show this.
Sexual promiscuity

7. Evidence of Isolation
AO2
Gatsby’s party is packed, he seems to be a popular man. But most of the time he lives alone in an empty house.
Nick doesn’t belong in either Egg community or in New York
Gatsby’s isolation
Nick’s isolation
Gatsby stands ‘alone’ at the edge of his party
Nick feels ‘purposeless and alone’
Notice Nick’s final comment about being the only honest man he knows…

8. Homework
AO1/2/3/4
‘In his settings Fitzgerald contrasts light with dark, luxury with ashes.’
In the light of this comment, discuss ways in which Fitzgerald uses settings in ‘The Great Gatsby’. In your answer you should make connections and comparisons with the extract from T.S. Eliot’s The Wasteland
To help you plan this essay, complete the worksheet on settings.
You can also read an exam style answer from a real candidate (see page 29-31) attached to your assignment on Edmodo. Notice how they meet the AOs: 1,2,3,4
Essay add candidate essay to Edmodo
Setting handout
Also: Read chapter 4

9. Key features of successful essays
What are the key features of good literature essays? Make a list now. Then put them in order of importance. Compare with the list below:
Answers the question
Is well structured, developing a clear line of argument
Uses textual evidence effectively
Includes close analysis of language
Is well expressed and accurately written
Uses a range of contexts effectively
Is interesting to the reader
Has a strong introduction and conclusion
Demonstrates independent thought, personal engagement and some originality
Engages in informed critical debate
Uses advanced critical vocabulary
Fulfils the assessment objectives
The 1-12 list reveals on click