ENG4U Novel Study Unit Name: Novel Study Unit: The Great Gatsby
Character Map From CliffsNotes The Great Gatsby Summary and Study Guide 2
Literature Circles For our study of The Great Gatsby, we will be using literature circles as a tool for learning. Literature circles are designed to provide small group discussion time about the novel as you are reading the novel. It is an opportunity for you to discuss issues, ideas, and questions that you may have about the section of the novel you have read. As well, the notes and ideas exchanged serve as a complete set of study notes for the novel (along with some input from me), and will prepare you for your quizzes, unit test, multimedia presentations, and exam. You must be accountable for the time that you spend with your group at your Literature Circle Meeting and the material that you are required to cover. For each meeting, you are expected to: Read the assigned sections Contribute to all discussions Complete the assigned role for each meeting Participate respectfully You will be assessed according to: The quality of your contributions to the literature circle meeting The extent to which you keep up with your responsibilities to your group The quality of your ideas The quality of your group s discussions You will meet five times to discuss the novel The Great Gatsby. You will be expected to complete each of the following roles throughout our study of the novel. Meeting dates will be supplemented by input lessons and activities. I will also use the content of your meetings to guide me in my lesson preparation, as well as help provide contextual information to aid your study. I am looking forward to this opportunity and hope that your understanding of the novel and literature as a whole will develop. Be brave and step outside the box into a new arena of learning. 3
Literature Circle Roles Role Description Sample Questions to Consider When Completing Literary Luminary Big Connector You are also expected to highlight examples of literary devices and record both their uses and effectiveness. Finally, you will be asked to look up any allusions or references in the graphic novel you read and explain your understanding of them. Connecting to prior knowledge and experience to reading deepens comprehension and understanding. You will be looking for and recording connections that you can make to the graphic novel you have chosen. Basically, there are four types of connections that you can make: A. Text to text - find a connection between the text that you are reading and something that you have read or watched elsewhere B. Text to the world - find connections between the text that you are reading and bigger issues or events in the world C. Text to self - find a connection between the text that you are reading and your personal experience D. Text within text - find a connection between the section of the text that you are reading and another section of the same text. What makes the writing in this section so effective? (literary devices) How is the symbolism necessary to the story as a whole? What references are made to situations outside of the original story? What connections can you make to current events in your community? What other people or places could you compare this story to? What other books or stories might you compare this one to? What other characters or authors might you compare this to? How does the theme(s) represented connect to other stories? Previous sections? Media texts? What to Complete At least three (3) examples of literary devices, including their use (i.e., the sentence it appears in) At least two (2) allusions or references, with explanations All four (4) connections must be made, written in separate sentences, with headings for each type of connection A theme statement You are also expected to discuss theme(s) as you make connections. Peacemaker Charley Grand Questioner You are being asked to identify and examine the different types of conflict at play in the graphic novel. Remember to consider all seven of the varieties of conflict (person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. self, person vs. nature, etc.). Examine the reason behind each conflict, and provide a resolution to each conflict. You are expected to track the characters and their development throughout the story. You will keep a list of the character traits demonstrated within the story, with examples and any new characters that are introduced. It is important that you include physical, mental, moral, and emotional characteristics. Your job is to record any questions that you have about reading this particular short story. You want to record the questions that were circling in your brain as you read the story, and any questions that you may have about what is yet to come. What examples of conflict are at play in the graphic novel? How does one conflict affect another? What solutions can be offered to the characters? Are any forms of conflict more prevalent? What does this tell us about the graphic novel as a whole? What do we know about the characters? What new characters have we met in this section? How do we learn about the characters? Are any character traits from earlier sections developed further in this section? If so, how? Why did the author make a particular choice? What did the text make you think about? What do you think this story was about? What was the most important change in this story and why? How might other people (of different backgrounds) think about this story? At least three (3) types of conflict Reason behind each conflict found Resolution to each conflict found At least three (3) character traits for each character Identify what type of character (protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, dynamic, static) State how/why character develops. At least six (6) higher-order questions (questions that do no elicit a one-word or short response; that require an explanation) An answer to each of the questions devised 4
Literature Circle Role Schedule Group Members & Contact Info: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Literature Circle Schedule Role Meeting 1 Meeting 2 Meeting 3 Meeting 4 Meeting 5 Literary Luminary Big Connector Peacemaker Charley Grand Questioner 5
Research Multimedia Presentation You will work in a group of three, on one of the following projects listed below. Choose your partners wisely. This assignment will be presented orally to the class. This is an opportunity for you to amaze us with your media skills and creativity as well as your analyses. Presentations are to be 15-20 minutes. You must include a Works Cited page with your rubric prior to presenting. Decline of the American Dream (in 1920s) This period in American history is a time of unprecedented wealth, with people flaunting their material excess with conspicuous consumption. Despite the economic prosperity, one can see the decline, corruption, and perversion of the American Dream, in regards to social and moral values. How does this manifest itself in the novel? Spirit of the 1920s prepare a show in which various aspects of the 1920s are presented to the class. Brainstorm within your group for ideas and categories (e.g., one category could be fashion leading to an investigation and presentation of the Flappers). Use music, visuals, and/or costumes in your presentation. Use the talents of your group, including your painters and musicians for a live performance. Role of Symbols Assign each member of your group one or more of the following symbols in the novel to investigate: the green light on Daisy s dock, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, the valley of ashes, Gatsby s parties, East Egg, West Egg. Research the meaning of each of these symbols. What significance do they bear in relation to the text, and to American society in the 1920s? How is the symbol s meaning relevant to today s society? Weather In literature, weather can often match or represent the atmosphere of the story. This can be seen in Shakespeare s works as well. What does the weather throughout the novel suggest about certain occurrences, encounters, relationships, people, or places? Excess, Social Values, & Social Class Think about the American dream, where anyone, regardless of social class, has the potential to make a fortune. Consider the quest for wealth, extravagant parties, material excess. There is no question that people are often judged by their appearance and social status, among other superficial criteria. How are these judgements fair and unfair, true and untrue? How does conspicuous consumption, living extravagantly, materialism, and prestige of social status affect social values individually and collectively? How do these facets of excess affect the social strata, and who (i.e., which social stratum) is most impacted, and in what ways? Hollowness of the Upper Class American families, who come from old money, exhibit an aristocratic disdain for the newly rich. Why is this? Is it justified? Does this take place today, and in what forms? What does this say about the perception of people, their realness, and the fabric of society? Does the hollowness of the upper class damage the the identity of people, their realness, and/or the fabric of society? Geography Think about the various settings of the novel. Many of them exemplify aspects of the American 1920s depicted by Fitzgerald. What do these settings represent? Are there dichotomies present in this depiction that can be compared to anything today? Each group member will represent a setting from the novel. Each setting argues to prove that it is the most important representation. 6
Rubric Multimedia Presentation /16 Duration: Name(s): Topic: **Submit this sheet with a Works Cited page to your teacher prior to presenting.** Category Level 1 Knowledge/ Understanding Information, ideas Thinking/Inquiry Creative thinking/risk taking Sensory appeal Communication Focus and unity Sense of audience and purpose Interplay of media Application Use of media and technology Presentation Comments: (50-59%) Presents limited relevant information and ideas Takes few risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features Shows limited skill in appealing to several senses Has limited focus Choice of material and media show limited sense of audience and purpose Interplay of media has limited effectiveness Shows limited command of the media and technology used Few parts of the presentation are smooth and fluent Level 2 (60-69%) Presents some relevant information and ideas Takes some risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features Shows some skill in appealing to several senses Has some focus and unity Choice of material and media show some sense of audience and purpose Interplay of media is somewhat effective Shows some command of the media and technology used Some parts of the presentation are smooth and fluent Level 3 (70-79%) Presents considerable relevant information and ideas Takes considerable risks to incorporate unusual or unexpected features Shows considerable skill in appealing to several senses Has considerable focus and unity Choice of material and media show considerable sense of audience and purpose Interplay of media is effective Shows considerable command of the media and technology used Most of the presentation is smooth and fluent Level 4 (80-100%) Presents thorough and insightful relevant information and ideas Shows a high degree of risk taking to incorporate unusual or unexpected features Shows a high degree of skill in appealing to several senses Has a strong, clear, unified focus Choice of material and media show strong sense of audience and purpose Interplay of media is highly effective Shows strong command of the media and technology used All or almost all of the presentation is smooth and fluent 7
Chapter 1 Questions 1. What advice did the narrator s father give him? Do you agree with Nick s father? What are examples of fundamental decencies? 2. Describe Gatsby s house. What do the details about his house suggest about his character? 3. Describe Nick s house. What do the details about his house suggest about his character? 4. Who are the Buchanans and where do they live? Tom s physical description is important later in the novel. How does the narrator describe him? What might this description suggest about him? 5. Describe Daisy. From the description, what actress, singer, or other well-known figure do you think might be like Daisy? 6. Describe Jordan Baker. Why is she at the Buchanans? 7. Why do we get the impression that Tom is a racist? What is his explanation for civilization going to pieces? 8. What attitude do Daisy and Jordan have? How is Jordon shown as immoral and Daisy as innocent? 9. Reread Daisy s comment right after her daughter was born. What is your reaction to her comment? 10.How does Gatsby react to the green light at the end of Chapter 1? 8
Chapter 2 & 3 Questions 1. Describe the valley of the ashes. What does it symbolize? 2. Nick goes with Tom to visit Myrtle. Describe her and her husband. What happens during the course of the evening? What shows Myrtle s lack of sophistication? Explain the significance of the puppy episode in terms of what it reveals about Tom and Myrtle. 3. Why did Tom get so angry with Myrtle for mentioning Daisy s name? From his reaction, how do you think he feels about Daisy? About Myrtle? 4. Overindulgence in alcohol is a problem for many of the characters in the novel. Consider why Fitzgerald might have chosen to include this detail in the novel. 5. Gatsby s parties are juxtaposed to Tom s by Fitzgerald. How do they compare? What does Nick mean when he says he is one of the few who were invited? What are some rumours about Gatsby heard at this party? What is Nick s comment about the gossip? What did he mean? 6. Who is owl eyes and what surprises him? Explain what he meant by Gatsby not cutting the pages. 7. What does Nick find most intriguing about Gatsby? What about Gatsby is suspicious to Nick? 8. Jordan Baker is dishonest, while Nick prides himself on his honesty. How does Jordan feel around Nick? 9. Describe a party of today that would approach the magnificence of Gatsby s. 9
Chapter 4 Questions 1. Nick keeps a list of the party guests on a train schedule dated July 5, 1922. Why did Fitzgerald include this section? Consider the names of the guests (characterization) and the significance of the date. 2. What travellers are seen just after Nick and Gatsby cross the Queensboro Bridge? Why are they important in terms of theme? 3. What is extremely unusual about Mr. Wolfsheim? Note Wolfsheim s comment about Gatsby, He would never so much as look at a friend s wife (73). Why is this ironic? What crime does Gatsby say Wolfsheim committed? What is Nick s reaction? Discuss how Fitzgerald s portrayal of Wolfsheim is reflective of anti-semitic attitudes. 4. Gatsby s unexpected departure from the restaurant upon meeting Tom is a transition for what Jordan is about to tell Nick in the next section of the chapter. What startling news does Nick discover about Gatsby and Daisy? 5. What did Daisy do the day before her wedding to Tom? What was Tom doing shortly after the wedding? How are these details significant? 6. What favour is asked of Nick on Gatsby s behalf? Put yourself in Nick s place. A friend wants you to arrange to meet with someone another friend is dating. What would you do? Why do you think Nick agreed? 7. Discuss how fixing the 1919 World Series is a slap in the face of American ideals. 10
Chapter 5 Questions 1. What does Gatsby propose that offends Nick? Why does Nick refuse? Discuss what this reaction suggests about his character. 2. Describe Daisy and Gatsby s meeting. What did you notice? Discuss the three emotional states Gatsby move through upon meeting Daisy again. How does Fitzgerald s description of the encounter compare to what you thought might happen? 3. Why do you think Daisy cries when she sees all of Gatsby s beautiful shirts? What does this suggest about her character and the nature of her relationship with Gatsby? 4. Why is the song Ain t We Got Fun? Gatsby s request to Klipspringer both appropriate and ironic? 5. This chapter is often seen as the beginning of Gatsby s downfall. Offer suggestions as to how this might be true. 6. Discuss the expression money can t buy happiness as it relates to the characters in the novel. 7. Prove or disprove the following by citing examples from your own experience, movies, sports, or literature: the dream of what could be is usually superior to the dream achieved in reality. 11
Chapter 7 Questions Explanation of the reference to Trimalchio: Trimalchio was a comic character in Petronius Satyricon. This character, also a nouveau riche, was known for his hilarious parties and farcical antics. Gatsby had given the parties in hopes that Daisy would eventually attend one. Now there is no need to continue them. 1. Describe the weather in this chapter and its relevance to the plot. 2. Explain how Pammy s appearance affects Gatsby. 3. The Buchanans unlimited wealth has left their lives empty and boring. Knowing this, what does Gatsby represent for Daisy? 4. What is Tom s hypocritical reaction to Daisy s affair? What double standard is at work here? 5. What has George Wilson learned? Why has George been trying to buy a car from Tom throughout the novel? 6. Compare Tom and George in their knowledge that their wives are having affairs. 7. Discuss the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby in the hotel. 8. Explain Nick s comment: So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight. 9. How does Nick change as a result of Myrtle s death? 10.Who did Myrtle think was driving the car? Who was really driving? What is your reaction to this plot complication? 11.Gatsby remained outdoors, looking up at the light in Daisy s room, waiting to make sure she was alright. Meanwhile, Nick looked through the kitchen window and saw Tom and Daisy meeting to conspire. How is this scene a microcosm of the larger situation? 12
Chapter 8 Questions 1. What foreshadows Gatsby s death? 2. Nick urges Gatsby to go away, but he refuses. Explain. 3. Why does Fitzgerald include Gatsby s flashback about Daisy? 4. To what grail does Gatsby refer? Why do you think Fitzgerald include this allusion? 5. What is the symbolic significance of autumn at the novel s end? Why is there a sharp difference in the weather? 6. What does Nick mean when he says to Gatsby, You re worth the whole damn bunch put together? Is Nick being hypocritical? 7. What does Nick realize about Jordan? 8. George Wilson typifies the ordinary man. What else does Fitzgerald s portrayal of him suggest? 9. Reread the paragraph beginning No telephone message arrived How did Nick believe Gatsby was feeling during the minutes preceding his death? Do you agree with Nick s estimation? 10.Discuss the conversations that might have transpired between the following characters: Gatsby and Daisy on the way to New York Gatsby and Daisy on the way back to East Egg Tom and Daisy back home after the accident * Be prepared to share you conversations with the class 13