1. The Great Gatsby HO72 Drama and prose post-1900 (Component 02)
Lesson 7
LO: In this lesson you will:
Further explore a range of ways to study the structure of the novel.
Analyse the ways chapters begin and end.
Chapter 3/4

2. Introduction
Fiztgerald structures the novel in a number of different ways:
The division of the story into 9 chapters and the sectioning within the chapters.
The episodic or ‘scenic’ method of telling the story.
Repeated tellings of a story (and whether the story remains the same or alters with each re-telling)
The relationship between the frame narrative (Nick setting himself up as author of Gatsby’s story) and the story he is telling

3. Introduction…
5. The staggered release of information (‘jigsaw-like’ quality – Nicholas Treddell) that the reader must put together.
6. The use of setting and the movements between places and the association each conjures up.
7. Journeys with take place during the summer of or are recounted in Nick’s narrative
8. Near repetitions, foils and echoes (for example, similarities and differences in the characterisation and the role of each of the three main female characters: Daisy, Myrtle and Jordan.

4. Introduction
9. Repeated events such as parties, luncheons and other encounters. 10. Motifs, images and lexical groups

5. Task
Reading the opening and concluding paragraphs of each of the nine chapters in The Great Gatsby can be an illuminating way of exploring the structure.
See hand-out. Read the paragraphs and talk about anything you notice

6. Consider: Read all of the opening paragraphs
Read all of the concluding paragraphs
The relationship between the way a chapter begins and ends
Patterns you notice (e.g. particular images, the tone, the focus, the use of dialogue, description, reflective comment and so on.)
novel as a whole?

7. Check
What do you discover about the shape and development of the novel as a whole?

8. Homework
Complete the wider reading on Fitzgerald’s editing and reflect on his changes in your reading Journals.