1. Sorting/Comprehension Questions
The Great Gatsby: Access to the American Dream.
Over-arching Questions:
What is the American Dream; does one social class have more access than another?
How does the point of view of the novel affect the story that is told?
How does the characters’ social class effect their beliefs, goals, decisions, and success in life?
Do any of Fitzgerald’s’ characters attain the American Dream?
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Sorting/Comprehension Questions
What is happening here? Who are the characters? What do we know about them? How do we know?
Significance
What moments strike you as most significant to the text? Explain why those moments are significant.
Interpretation of Text: WriteAbouts
How do the rumors about Gatsby contribute to his image and reputation?
What indication is there that Tom and Daisy are linked despite their marital differences?
What role do automobiles play in the novel and what can they foreshadow?
What is the narrator’s (Nick’s) opinion of Gatsby and what does it reveal about the narrator (Nick)?
What are some of the common images repeated in this chapter? What choice does Daisy have? Why does she choose the way she does?
What is Gatsby’s view of the past? What role does Daisy have in his American Dream?
At the end of the chapter, Gatsby is standing alone, looking out at Daisy’s house. Where else in the novel does he do this? How is this different?
How were the circumstances of Gatsby’s death consistent with his life?
Despite the number of people who attended Gatsby’s parties; why were there so few at his funeral?
Analysis of Text: Inquiry Questions & WriteLikes
Considering the setting of the valley of ashes where George and Myrtle live; what aspects of the setting imply that it is intended to have a symbolic meaning as well as a literal one?
What do you think Fitzgerald is trying to illustrate to the readers about those who try to be part of a social class different from the one in which they were born?
How is the allusion of Gatsby with Christ (“he was a son of God…and he must be about his Father’s business.”) ironic. If the comparison with Christ were to continue throughout the book what does this foreshadow for Gatsby?
How does Fitzgerald use imagery to characterize the tone of this chapter?
How have the events of this chapter been foreshadowed?
The beginning of the novel clearly states that the character of Nick should not judge those around him What message is Fitzgerald trying to present with this idea?
What is Fitzgerald’s attitude toward Daisy? How do you know?
Why does Fitzgerald describe the party (“By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived”) in the present tense?
How does Fitzgerald use the weather as a metaphor for the emotional climate of Daisy and Gatsby?
Retrospective Assignment: Culminating Project .
Create an Informative/Explanatory media based group project: The Great Gatsby offers several perspectives on the “reconstructed” American Dream. Working with a partner or small group, prepare a formal presentation in which you clearly explain the novel’s “reconstructed” American Dream from the point of view of two characters. Your presentation should involve technology in some way—Powerpoint, MovieMaker, Prezi (your group members should collaborate on what will work best for your presentation. Your finished product, however, must have two components: 1) an accurate MLA style bibliography of the research completed and 2) direct quoted references to the novel that support your positions.